After winless games, Real Madrid got the three points (2-1) in the third game of the Champions League group stage against the weak Viktoria Plzen. Karim Benzema and Marcelo scored the two goals, but the game was very poor and the team didn’t improve. Now, at least, Real Madrid are topping the group with Roma, both with 6 points, two more than CSKA Moscow. Without many hopes, Los Blancos are ready to play El Clásico on Sunday, perhaps the last game for Julen Lopetegui.
The coach punished Raphael Varane, Marco Asensio and Odriozola, all three very poor against Levante, with the bench. Lucas Vázquez played as a right back, another decision difficult to understand because Real Madrid signed a top player like Odriozola for that role. Vázquez is much more useful as a winger, as he showed in the first goal, with a great assist and the header by Karim Benzema. It was the 11th minute. There was some hope that we could watch a good game with many goals, but it was only a hope.
Actually, Keylor Navas was one of the best of the team, saving a couple of very good chances. The Costa Rican showed once again that he hasn’t given up and he’s ready to fight for the goalkeeper position. Los Blancos didn’t play fast, all the game was really forseeable. Even Isco missed a really clear chance after a gift from the goalkeeper Hruska. Viktoria Plzen could draw in the last play of the first half, but Ptrzela missed it. The supporters started to whistle the team.
In the second half the things weren’t much better. Fede Valverde made his season debut replacing Isco, again far from his best level. The Uruguayan participated in the second goal scored by Marcelo, who pointed again the badge. Apart from a post from Sergio Ramos, the team didn’t create many chances. Viktoria could have scored earlier and they found their prize in the 78th minute with a goal scored by Hrovovsky. There was even time for a draw, but luckily Nacho saved the most clear chance. Three points but a terrible sensation to travel on Sunday to Camp Nou. Especially with Julen Lopetegui on the bench.
