3 answers
1. Another tough match against Real Valladolid?
Recently, Real Madrid had many difficulties when meeting Real Valladolid. They may have won 3 games against Pucela, but each of them was only by a 1-0 margin. Last night was another very tough match against the White Vulture. Real Valladolid managed to withstand the pressure from their opponents, before finishing the first half strong and starting the second well well, creating some very good chances.
But Real Madrid did what the champions do and they won 2-0. It was not a big win, but Real Madrid took the three points and that was the most important thing in their first game back after the World Cup.
Benzema scored a late brace for Real.
2. How will Benzema play?
This is Benzema’s first official match since November 2 (after 58 days) and his first starting match since October 19 (after 72 days). So his performance is highly anticipated. Despite fully recovering from injury, can Benzema perform well?
At first, he didn’t show it like that. The Frenchman looked lost in attack. But the more he joined the match, the more he seemed to find himself again. It was his shot that created the corner from which Real Madrid was awarded a penalty. In the final moments, he controlled the ball perfectly and hit the net of the Real Valladolid goalkeeper, making it 2-0. Benzema is back.
3. Will there be a tribute to Pele?
There were many Brazilian players present at this match, from Ronaldo Nazario in the stands to Vinicius and Rodrygo on the field. So, will these people pay special tribute to Pele, aside from the minute of silence held before the game? The answer is no. Vinicius certainly prepared a special goal celebration for Pele, but he couldn’t score to have a chance to celebrate.
3 questions
1. Is the penalty right?
It was a penalty that helped Real Madrid break the deadlock in this match. Is that the correct decision? Javi Sanchez’s outstretched arm blocked a ball heading towards goal. In the first half, Real Madrid also requested a penalty kick due to Javi’s handball, but was not granted. However, a similar incident occurred when Girona was awarded a penalty against Rayo Vallecano earlier.
2. How long will Camavinga be super sub?
Once again, Eduardo Camavinga came on and the game changed. He is a super sub, showing up and using his kit optimally when the opposition starts to tire. And he has done that many times when coming on from the bench.
Camavinga needs to improve some more skills.
When asked earlier in the season why Camavinga is better off playing as a substitute than starting, Carlo Ancelotti said: “When the game is more open, he can stand out more with his characteristics, especially It’s physical. He’s a less positional player and doesn’t have the ability to read the game like someone like Toni Kroos.”
These are the things he will have to learn if he wants to move from the bench to the starting XI.
3. Is Thibaut Courtois the best goalkeeper of 2022?
As Belgium have not progressed deep in the World Cup a number of other goalkeepers have received a lot of praise and attention over the past few weeks, but let’s not forget how well Real Madrid’s No 1 has played this year. In the last night, he also made some incredible saves, denying Alvaro Aguado and Sergio Leon. For most goalkeepers, that might be their best saves of the year, but Courtois’ 2022 was so outstanding that he had plenty of them.
Thanh Vu | 12:12 Dec. 2022
