Real Madrid 1-0 Rayo Vallecano: 4 Talking Points from the game, LaLiga 2018-19

Karim Benzema's 13th-minute strike was enough to salvage all three points for Los Blancos, who at least temporarily, move into third, a point ahead of Sevilla, who are yet to play their fixture against Girona.

Real still continue to be a long way away from being their sparkling best, but it was a step in the right direction for Solari's men, who now head into the Club World Cup on the back of a solid victory. Real got absolutely hammered by CSKA Moskva at the Bernebau during midweek, but they fielded a much-changed lineup to face the relegation contenders at the Bernebau.

Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, Karim Benzema, Lucas Vasquez, Sergio Ramos, Dani Carvajal and Raphael Varane all started, as Real looked to exorcize their demons.

Real started the game very brightly, and dominated possession in the first half, having 70% of the ball in the first 45. Toni Kroos, Lucas Vasquez and Karim Benzema were Real's best performers tonight, all 3 men putting in great shifts, reminding the Bernebau and the rest of the World of their abilities, although it was against the side currently languishing near the foot of the table.

Real pushed on for a second goal after scoring the first, and looked certain to increase their total, but were unfortunate, striking the post through Toni Kroos near the half-hour mark. Marco Asensio also had a couple of efforts from inside the box saved, although it would've been more surprising if they would've gone in. Lucas Vasquez was denied a penalty, and VAR wasn't brought into play by any of the on-field referees, but the Spaniard was definitely shoved in the back by Alvaro Garcia in the box.

Rayo almost scored an equalizer in the very last moments of the game but were denied by Thibaut Courtois twice in quick succession. The big Belgian certainly kept his side alive and was a major reason why the Blancos weren't shocked again with a late draw. It would've been another historic result for both teams if Rayo had taken anything away from this game, as they have never won points whenever they've faced the current European Champions.

It wasn't a performance to write home about, but it chalked up 3 more points for Madrid on the board, keeping them in the title race despite the below-par season they've had so far. Here are the talking points from the game.

#1 Marcos Llorente with another solid showing

Marcos started his 6th consecutive game for Real, growing into the side with each performance.

Young Spaniard Marcos Llorente started again tonight, making this his 6th consecutive start in the middle of the park for the Blancos. He put in yet another solid shift for the Champions League holders, deputizing brilliantly for the injured Casemiro.

He completed an astonishing 96% of his 75 passes, made 1 interception, 2 tackles, and recovered the ball 6 times for his side. The #14 will not be walking back into the starting eleven, and some fans (including me) would prefer to see Marcos retain his starting spot, given he offers more control than the technically lacking Brazilian, and has many superior attacking instincts, having an excellent eye for a pass.

#2 Isco only has himself to blame

Isco was booed off the pitch in a defeat to CSKA Moskva

Isco failed to start yet another league game for Real Madrid, having 0 starts since Solari took over from former Spain boss Julen Lopetegui. Isco's stock has taken a nosedive, considering he was thought to be one of the main men along with Bale & Co. in the quest to internally replace the statistical unicorn that is Cristiano Ronaldo.

Isco started the season well but has never looked himself since his appendicitis operation. He did score a couple of stunners against Melilla in a dead rubber fixture, and still knows how to get in dangerous positions, but he isn't taking his chances instinctually, dwelling on the ball for too long, allowing opponents to get back to defend the attacks and rob him off the ball.

Solari, therefore, has decided to start others over the enigmatic Spaniard, much to Isco's surprise. The man from Rosario has stated time and time again that Isco and he do not have a difficult relationship, and that every decision he makes is with the best interests of the club and team at heart.

Isco needs to show more in training, and be clinical when he gets his chances, as that's his only way to show the coach that he can become an indispensable player of this Real Madrid lineup.

#3 Nobody fears Real anymore

Rayo Vallecano felt disappointed to not take away anything from the game, despite going down by just one goal

Rayo Vallecano took 11 shots compared to Real's 9 and made several threatening avenues down into the home team's half. They were outclassed in every department by Real's star-studded lineup, but could not muster a goal for all their efforts.

Real Madrid's home used to be a stadium teams' spines would shudder coming into, as the Bernebau is a daunting arena for not just the visiting team, but also the home side. Those days seem long gone now, as Real have gone from wiping the floor with 10-2 scorelines to coming away with slender 1 goal victories.

Karim Benzema is the team's best attacker at the moment, which says more than necessary. For the first time ever, top teams might be hoping to draw the reigning champions, given how easily Real has been rolled over by teams who couldn't have defeated Real as convincingly as they have ever before.

This current Real attack doesn't stand a chance if they come up against Manchester City, Dortmund, or basically every team other than Porto or Schalke. That's an incredibly harsh statement, one that hurts to write as a Madrid fan of more than 10 years, but that's just what the current state of our squad is. This is the weakest attack to ply their trade at the Spanish capital in a long time, and Real's board would do well to start rebuilding the squad come next summer.

#4 Courtois proving his worth under Solari

Courtois kept another clean sheet tonight, making this his 6th clean sheet in 14 league games for the club. He made a fantastic double save at the death of the game to keep Madrid in the lead.

Thibaut Courtois didn't have too much to do tonight, but did recover the ball 7 times tonight for his side, and almost launched a brilliant attack by launching a giant throw into the path of Asensio, who should have done much better with the pass.

He had to make just one save in the regulation 90, saving a tame effort from Bebe but showed his sharpness and brilliance when it mattered the most, making himself big and stopping two efforts back to back from point-blank range at the end of the 3rd of 3 minutes stoppage time.

He has been Solari's preferred goalkeeper, starting every game since the ex- Castilla coach took over, and whilst many fans(including me)questioned his arrival and it's need, he is starting to win them(and me) over by his strong displays in goal.

On several occasions this season he has exhibited the type of saves that Keylor Navas would struggle to make, and is justifying making the move for him from Chelsea with each passing fixture.