Real Madrid talking points: LaLiga title close after another penalty and more VAR

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Ben Hayward11 July 2020

Real Madrid are another step closer to the title.

Los Blancos beat struggling Alaves 2-0 at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano on Friday night and are four points ahead of second-placed Barcelona with just three rounds remaining.

Karim Benzema and Marco Asensio scored the goals, one in each half, to leave LaLiga within reach and Zinedine Zidane's side could even clinch the title as early as Monday.

"The feelings are good because we did a good job defensively," the Frenchman said. "We have to keep going."

Another penalty and more VAR

REUTERS

After all the talk over the last couple of weeks that Real Madrid have benefited from refereeing decisions, this match was decided by yet another penalty and a fresh intervention from VAR.

Ferland Mendy went down on the edge of the area after 10 minutes under a challenge from Ximo Navarro and a penalty was given as it was established that the contact took place inside the box.

Karim Benzema scored from the spot and at that point, Los Blancos' last three goals had all been penalties, after the Sergio Ramos winners against Getafe and Athletic Club.

Later, Benzema was flagged offside in the build-up to Marco Asensio's goal, but VAR confirmed the Frenchman was in a legal position when he received the ball.

On Twitter, VARdebebas (in reference to the location of Madrid's stadium, at Valdebebas) was trending and former Barcelona director Toni Freixa complained of foul play in a series of tweets, but these calls both looked correct.

Courtois leads Madrid to another clean sheet

AFP via Getty Images

Real Madrid's recent defensive solidity has been a big reason behind their success and an eighth win in a row was secured in part thanks to another shutout at the back.

With Sergio Ramos and Dani Carvajal both suspended and Marcelo injured, Zidane was forced to field a makeshift back line against Alaves and Lucas Vazquez was asked to fill in at right-back.

There were a few wobbles, but goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was on hand with several fine saves and the Belgian has helped Madrid to five clean sheets in a row for the first time in 12 years.

"He has a great influence," Zidane said. "He's our goalkeeper. What he is doing every game is phenomenal."

Asensio impresses again

Getty Images

Marco Asensio has only recently returned from long-term injury and the 24-year-old attacker was included in the starting XI by Zidane for the second successive game.

It paid dividends as he impressed again in this match and also scored after the break from a Benzema pass to register his second goal of the season, which already sees him level with Gareth Bale in LaLiga.

Even as Eden Hazard started on the bench, it currently looks like Asensio is first choice with the Belgian and Benzema when everyone is fit and Zidane is clearly pleased to have him back.

"We didn't expect this," Zidane said. "After 10 months out, we had to be calm. This is the second match he has started in a row and he did well."

Bale out of the picture, but still smiling

AFP via Getty Images

Gareth Bale did not make it onto the pitch in Madrid's win over Alaves and the Welshman is clearly not part of Zidane's plans at this stage, even for the present.

The 30-year-old was caught on camera laughing and joking during the match, covering his eyes with his face mask at one point, and was captured with a broad smile as Brahim Diaz replaced Casemiro in added time.

After the game, Zidane did not speak about Bale but was asked if James Rodriguez, absent from the squad again, will play for Real Madrid again.

The Frenchman said he did not know and, at this point, there is no guarantee that Bale will feature again between now and the end of the season either.

Benzema has 'just a knock'

REUTERS

Karim Benzema was a key part of Real Madrid's attacking play once again in the win over Alaves and the French forward was involved in both goals, scoring the penalty and later setting up Marco Asensio for the second.

The 32-year-old took a knock at the end of the first half and was later seen holding the back of his leg after he was substituted late in the match.

With Los Blancos in action again on Monday, that will have been a worrying sight for fans.

But Zidane said: "He was able to carry on because it was just a knock. He was a bit dizzy, but then he was fine. As it's just a knock, I think he'll be OK."

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