This 34th Real Madrid match in La Liga this season had a special taste. The Madrilenians celebrated the return of Thibaut Courtois, starting for the first time this season after a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee as well as the meniscus in the other knee. The Belgian, announced “out” for the rest of the season, finally succeeded in returning to the field before the end of the season.
Already in the group for the first leg of the Champions League against Bayern Munich, Carlo Ancelotti decided to start the 31-year-old goalkeeper for this match against Cadiz. He notably rotated his squad by aligning Arda Guler alongside Joselu and Ceballos in attack in a 4-2-3-1 tactical pattern where Brahim Díaz occupied the number 10 position ahead of Camavinga and Modric. The Real Madrid defense was made up of Carvajal, Militão, Nacho and Fran Garcia.
A meeting controlled from A to Z
In a Santiago Bernabéu which has still not experienced defeat this season, Carlo Ancelotti’s men have gained the upper hand over an opponent who is increasingly struggling in their quest to remain in La Liga. Indeed, it was Real Madrid who had the first opportunity in the 3rd minute with a cross from Fran Garcia for Joselu, unfortunately too short to propel the ball into the net.
Despite several attempts by the Madrilenians, such as Militão’s strike in the 11th minute, the two teams returned to the locker room with a score of 0-0, but with 72% ball possession in favor of Real Madrid.
It was in the second half that Carlo Ancelotti’s men took the upper hand, notably thanks to a great Brahim Díaz and a Courtois who was always as reassuring.
Winning return of Thibaut Courtois
For the Belgian international goalkeeper, this return to the stage against the worst attack in La Liga (23 goals scored in 32 days) was ideal for gaining confidence. And unsurprisingly, it paid off. Returning from the locker room, Courtois was decisive for win a duel against Christopher Ramos in the 50th minute. An opportunity that should not be missed since Brahim Díaz took charge a few minutes later to give his team the advantage.
Will we see him starting again by the end of the season? “ Courtois and Militão are back and progressing well. They will play, they require minutes. » THE Mister must be more than over the moon to have recovered his starting goalkeeper.
Brahim Díaz on fire
After a dribble with the left foot followed by a powerful strike with the right foot, the Moroccan international found the left corner of the Cadiz goalkeeper to open the scoring in the 51st minute.
With his disconcerting technical quality, the attacking midfielder also stood out by offering a pass to Jude Bellingham, who had only recently come into play, to allow him to double the lead in the 68th minute. Thanks to his eighteenth league goal this season, the English striker moved just one point behind top scorer Artem Dovbyk.
The ex-AC Milan player was replaced in the 73rd minute by Vini Jr. and saw his attacking partner Joselu score the last goal of the match in stoppage time. Final score, 3-0 for the Real Madrid and Cadiz must put down the controller. Named man of the match by our editorial team, the attacking midfielder has only progressed since his return to Spain after two years in Italy.
A short wait
At the end of the afternoon, FC Barcelona’s defeat against Girona gave Real Madrid the 36th Spanish championship title in the history of Real Madrid. With 14 points ahead of his runner-up, Los Blancos cannot be made up by the end of the season. Good news for Carlo Ancelotti and his men who can devote themselves entirely to Wednesday’s semi-final return against Bayern Munich.
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