Analysis: Cristiano Ronaldo departure will bring out the best in two Real Madrid stars
Real Madrid began their LaLiga opener at the Santiago Bernabeu with an unfamiliar Ronaldo-shaped hole in their starting eleven.
Qualms that Julen Lopetegui’s men would struggle without their star man of the previous nine seasons were rife, especially after Madrid got their competitive campaign off to a despondent start against arch-rivals Atletico. But, the challenge a resilient Getafe posed on opening night proved easily surmountable for Los Blancos. And their performance was anything but the weary, pedestrian display many expected without Cristiano Ronaldo.
Instead Lopetegui orchestrated a high-press, vibrant style which began from the very front of the pitch. Gareth Bale swiftly emerged as Real Madrid’s prominent source for opportunities, Karim Benzema looked sharper than he has done in years, while Marco Asensio showed he is a well-equipped winger.
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On initial view at least, Real Madrid seem well balanced, with a blend of quality players all pulling in the same direction. Gareth Bale could be at the centre of the spotlight for the first time since he joined the Spanish side, as the burning limelight Ronaldo carries has followed him to Turin.
The same could be said about Benzema – criticised in recent seasons – and Marco Asensio’s development looks to be ascending nicely. All three of Real Madrid’s impressive attacking triumvirate had reason to be pleased on opening night.
Bale opened his scoring account and smashed the bar, and Asensio was agonisingly close to adding further gloss to an already comfortable result.
Lopetegui’s tactics, which involve well-drilled, committed players, seem to be propelling the likes of Bale to exactly where they want to be.
The lack of Cristiano Ronaldo would have been a bizarre sight inside a half-full Bernabeu on Sunday evening, however his absence didn’t detract from a Real Madrid side who need to reinvent their home stadium as the fortress it once was.
They certainly went about doing that in the right way, and brushing aside a disappointing Getafe side supplies a much-needed confidence boost after frustration in midweek.
Next. Three things Napoli learned from opening day victory. dark
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