Real Madrid bounced back in spectacular fashion from their El Clasico defeat against Barcelona, crushing Real Valladolid 6-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in LaLiga on Saturday. Carlo Ancelotti’s team put up an impressive performance and showed why they are considered one of the favorites to lift the league title.
Benzema’s Hattrick and Rodrygo’s Performance Take Center Stage
Karim Benzema was once again at his clinical best as he scored a hattrick to take his tally up to 22 goals this season. Rodrygo Goes also had a standout performance, scoring and setting up two goals for Benzema. Marco Asensio and Lucas Vazquez also got their names on the scoresheet as Real Madrid dominated proceedings.
Pressure-Free Game Ahead of Copa Del Rey Semi-final Against Barcelona
Real Madrid’s victory over Real Valladolid came ahead of their Copa del Rey semi-final clash against Barcelona in midweek. The pressure-free game allowed Carlo Ancelotti’s team to rotate the squad and experiment with different tactics.
Eduardo Camavinga played at left-back, while Lucas Vázquez featured at right-back. Aurélien Tchouaméni and Toni Kroos started in midfield, while Karim Benzema led the front four players and captained the team. Eden Hazard also made his return from injury after a long absence, playing for 25 minutes in the second half.
Disappointing Performance by Real Valladolid
Real Valladolid started well against Real Madrid but lost focus after conceding the first goal. The best performers for Real Madrid were Benzema, Rodrygo, and Vinicius Junior, while the worst performers for Valladolid were Ivan Fresneda, Jawad El Yamiq, and Joaquin Fernandez.
Valladolid is now one point clear of the relegation battle, with 11 games left in the season. They will need to improve their form if they are to avoid dropping into the second division.
Madrid Looks Ahead to Key Fixtures in LaLiga and Champions League
Despite a convincing victory over Real Valladolid, Real Madrid remains 12 points behind league leaders Barcelona. A successful April is crucial for Madrid, with key fixtures in the Copa del Rey and LaLiga coming up.
Carlo Ancelotti’s team is set to face Chelsea in the UEFA Champions League on April 27th. The Italian coach expressed his desire to end the season with more silverware and believes his team has what it takes to do so.
Conclusion:
Real Madrid’s dominant victory over Real Valladolid was a much-needed confidence boost after their defeat in El Clasico. The performance of Benzema and Rodrygo showcased the potency of Madrid’s attacking force, while Hazard’s return from injury provides Ancelotti with more options going forward. As they prepare to face Barcelona again in the Copa del Rey semi-finals, Real Madrid will look to build on this solid performance and make a statement in the remaining games of this campaign.
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
