Champions League 2018/19: 3 reasons why Real Madrid beat Viktoria Plzen

In the midst of their worst league run since 2001, pressure has mounted on Julen Lopetegui and Real Madrid.

The Spaniard faces the grim prospect of being sacked by both club and country in the space of four months but a 2-1 victory over Viktoria Plzen in the Champions League could at least mean he is set to bow out on a winning note.

Real started brightly and eased any tension within the first quarter-of-an-hour when Karim Benzema nodded home an inch-perfect cross from Lucas Vazquez to notch his 57th goal in the competition.

Lopetegui's side went into the break with a slender one-goal advantage and it was far from job done, with the Czech Republic champions creating problems for Madrid in the first half.

Plzen's hopes were quickly dampened in the second period when stalwart defender Marcelo doubled his side's lead and put the holders on course for their second win in the competition this season.

Traveling Plzen fans were rewarded for their trip to the Spanish capital 11 minutes from time though, as Patrik Hrosovsky's strike from distance found its way past Keylor Navas to set up a tense finale.

The goal threatened another intriguing plot-twist in the Lopetegui-Madrid drama but the home side held on for victory.

Here is a look at three reasons why Real Madrid beat Viktoria Plzen...

Impact of whirlwind wide men

Marcelo was a constant danger down the left

Real's attacking trifecta of Gareth Bale, Benzema and Isco appeared disconnected at the Bernabeu but this was compensated for by the energy of full-backs Marcelo and Lucas Vazquez.

Vazquez, a forward being played out of position at right-back, looked vulnerable defensively but was a live-wire in the final third, setting up Benzema for the opening goal with a precise, arrowed cross.

Both the Spaniard and Marcelo operated more as wing-backs than full-backs, stretching Plzen's rear guard and keeping tight to the sidelines. They played either side of a very high back four and were constant dangers on the overlap for the Champions League holders.

Marcelo bagged the decisive goal with a clever clipped shot which was the icing on the cake in a strong performance from the experienced Brazilian when his side needed him the most.

Federico Valverde made subtle but crucial difference

Federico Valverde putting in a crunching challenge for Real

On a night where much of the focus was on the somewhat disgruntled figure in the dugout it is fair to say many could have overlooked the impressive debut of Federico Valverde.

The industrious Uruguayan midfielder replaced Isco before the hour mark and contributed to the win in more ways than one.

Moments after coming on Valverde was involved in the second and winning goal, with his flicked pass finding Bale on the edge of the box whose return ball was picked up by goalscorer Marcelo.

The defensive side of his game is where the 20-year-old is most impressive though. Lopetegui's middlemen were at times outmuscled by their Czech counterparts but, with his physically imposing frame and confidence on the ball, Valverde added stability to Madrid's midfield.

His passing was neat and precise, as outlined by his completion rate of 91%, and he demonstrated composure of a player significantly ahead of his years in an atmosphere that would have flustered others of his experience.

Valverde reiterated the range of his abilities with an audacious outside-of-the-boot cross to Benzema in the dying moments of the game to show he has both flair and physicality on his side. He is very much a player to be excited about for Real.

They knew when to press and when to sit back

The hosts demonstrated discipline when required

Regardless of the result, Real Madrid were always going to be in control of this game.

Los Blancos are without a win in their last four La Liga matches but have dominated possession in each of those encounters.

They did so in this clash as well but Lopetegui's side were more positive with the ball in the early stages and converted their 69% possession into 21 shots at goal, nine of which were on target.

There was a reluctance to play aimless balls across the middle of the park and centre-backs Sergio Ramos and Nacho pushed forwards, looking to spray long balls up to Benzema and company at every given opportunity.

The Spaniards had three corners in the first ten minutes of the game and operated with pace and purpose but there was an air of discipline about Madrid when they conceded a late consolation.

The front three dropped back and full-backs Marcelo and Vazquez tucked inside to limit the space available to Plzen's hungry front line.

Perhaps this is not the attitude we expect to see from a team that has so ruthlessly monopolised this competition in recent seasons but this is a different Madrid and they recognised the importance of just securing three points.