Carlo Ancelotti couldn’t really ask for a better welcome gift. For the first day of the Spanish championship, Real Madrid went largely to win 4-1 on Saturday on the lawn of Alavés. And the architect of this victory is none other than Karim Benzema. With a double, including a magnificent goal, the evening captain was able to welcome his new coach in the best way.
The French international center forward has therefore started the 2021-2022 season as he finished the previous one: with a superb double. He first sent a volley of a brilliant heel from Eden Hazard to the back of the net (48th), before concluding in two stages a tumble from Fede Valverde (62nd). In the meantime, central defender Nacho has taken over a Luka Modric cross from the right after a corner (56th), and Vinicius, with a header late in the match (90th + 3), sealed the first large success of the Madrilenians.
Defensive mistakes
The only downside of the merengue recital: this too soft pass sent by Militao back to Courtois, who forced the Belgian goalkeeper to make a mistake in his area. A penalty converted by Joselu (65th). Some defensive mistakes that are not reassuring at the start of the season, especially in view of the only reinforcement recorded this summer: David Alaba. Raphaël Varane, whose transfer to Manchester United was formalized this Saturday, and Ramos, who left for PSG, will leave a void which will take time to be sealed in the “White House”.
Because the white curtain had already given his coach a cold sweat in the first period, on this difficult recovery from Joselu (22nd) for example, or on this attempt by Luis Rioja who grazed the crossbar of Courtois (38th). The Italian technician will therefore have to find the time to correct these defensive flaws.
The good Benzema-Hazard agreement
The good news for Merengue supporters is therefore more to be found in their attacking trio. On Saturday, Benzema has already asserted himself as the leader of the attack, he who finished 2nd top scorer in the last Liga (with 23 goals, tied with Gerard Moreno and behind Lionel Messi, 30 goals). If the white attackers gave the impression of stepping on each other’s feet in the middle in the first period, the combinations between the French and the Belgian Eden Hazard gave a good idea of what their duo could give at the peak of the season. . The least prominent of the three has been Gareth Bale. But the Welshman was willing and invested, and celebrated the 3-0 goal at length by hugging Benzema, all smiles.
It is therefore an encouraging first victory for Carlo Ancelotti before the reigning Spanish champion, Atlético Madrid, entered the field on Sunday at Celta Vigo (5.30 p.m.). FC Barcelona, deprived of Messi, will play at 8 p.m. at Camp Nou against Real Sociedad.