Real Madrid have now won their first home game of the 2020/21 season and beat Real Valladolid 1-0 at Valdebas’ Estadio di Stefano. Once again, there were a lot of interesting things to do as this new season is really underway. Here are six of them in the form of three questions that were answered and three questions that need to be answered.
Three answers
1. Will Real Madrid keep their 100 percent record at Di Stefano?
This is Real Madrid’s first official match since returning to the Estadio di Stefano since they won the 2019/20 La Liga title against Villarreal on 16 July. Their record was weak last season, in which they won all six matches played at home and did so with a combined score of 13-2. They beat Getafe 6-0 in the pre-season friendly of the ‘Ghost Game’ here. So, can they maintain that 100 percent record in the first domestic game of 2020/21? Yes. Not too much, but yes.
2. Will Benzema and Jovi resume together?
Surprised at the weekend when Zinedine Zidane started Karim Benzema and Luca Jovi together. So, will he make it two games in a row with France’s second and Serbia’s next two? He did, and it came as a surprise. Not only because of the rumors surrounding Jovi’s future, but also because he never started two games in a row before this game. However, Zindan went for it and in fact, Jovi was more interesting than Benzema.
3. How will Zidane deal with Real Valladolid wings?
The real Valladolids are better than most people who give them credit. Ronaldo and his board have made some great acquisitions this summer and Sergio Gonzalez is one of La Liga’s most underrated coaches. Pusela has special strength and special depth on his wings, including the likes of Oscar Plano, Fabian Orellana, Pablo Hervias, Waldo and Tony Villa. So, you have to wonder how Zidane is going to deal with the big players in this fast paced. The solution? Marcelo and Alvaro Odriozola agreed to use both of his backups full-time at the same time … The real Valdolid doesn’t really play as wide as they normally do, and Odriozola has one (perhaps surprising) Well played. . Thus, Real Madrid managed to control Real Valladolid for the most part.
Three questions
1. Was Jovi or Vincius a better game?
For many, the story that will come out of this game will be that Real Madrid finally scored after the arrival of Jovia and immediately after the arrival of Vincius. The fact that Serbia did not score and the Brazilians made some very simple conclusions that Jovi is equal to Buri and Vincius is equal to good. However, I did find that the former Eintracht Frankfurt man played better. He was just a little unlucky, while Vincius took great advantage of a lucky touch from a defender who played his part for the opportunity he was given.
2. Why is Casmiro so quiet?
Casmiro completed just 41 passes in the match. There have been only four matches last season in which he played 90 minutes and completed a few, so you have to wonder why he got involved so little. One of the things I saw in this game was the way Sergio Ramos would take the ball out of his own back and then play a pass when he actually reached the area of the pitch that Casmiro was occupying. To me, it seemed pointless and maybe that’s why the Brazilian wasn’t involved as much as he usually is and not necessarily to blame. However, for the midfielder, it was definitely a quiet start to the season.
3. Is trusting Cortois a concern?
Once again, Thibaut Courtois came big for Real Madrid and played a big role in three points. After making heavy stops at Real Sociedad and Real Betis, Belgium did the same again. It’s great that Real Madrid have such a quality shot-stopper, but should it be a concern that Cortois is being called too much? Probably not in La Liga, where Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid occasionally take advantage of MOTM performances by their goalkeepers. However, Cortos magic may not be enough in the Champions League.
