Real Madrid 3-0 Almeria: Five key points to take away

Real Madrid scored three times against a lowly Almeria in what was an unconvincing display from the Bernabeu outfit. James Rodriguez and Alvaro Arbeloa were on target for the home side on the either side of an own goal by Dos Santos. With several first-team regulars rested, manager Carlo Ancelotti injected a few fresh legs in the lineup, although the much-awaited debut of Martin Odegaard was detained.Colombian sensation James Rodriguez opened the account with a meteoric volley after 44 sloppy minutes in the first half. The home side doubled their advantage early in the second half when Jese Rodriguez’s cross ricocheted off Dos Santos’ foot high into the net and midfielder Arbeloa rounded off a dour evening for European champions with a neat tap-in in the penultimate minute of the game.Here are the major talking points from the game:

#1 Real took the game too lightly

While a victory over the 17^th placed Almeria was never in question, the way Real played their way to that victory was bog-standard and lacking life. The home team were touted to put-up a goal-fest in this facile fixture but ended up being dour and .

Their attitude towards this game was easy going. Knowing that 3 points were in the bag even before kicking a ball, Real barely made a convincing effort to score in the first half and the chances that they created, albeit in smatterings, were squandered away clumsily. Almeria were given more time on the ball and this came back to bite the home team at some point as the relegation battlers threatened to score on a few occasions.

Although Real jacked up their attacking prowess a little in the closing half, were still unable to fire at all cylinders and what was expected to be a litany of goals from them, instead, turned out to be a drab contest.

#2 James Rodriguez stars in a torpid Real Madrid attack

In a game of little ingenuity and creativity in the attacking third, summer recruit James Rodriguez came up trumps for the home team and did most of the work in creating chances. The 23-year old illuminated an insipid first-half with a majestic volley that thundered straight into the net to give his side some respite before the break.

His constant run-ins and tireless efforts in the next half may have failed to fruition into another goal, but was the talisman in Real’s attack. Rodriguez pushed forward with pace, sprayed incisive passes in dangerous areas and even whipped up spaces for the strikers.

Blancos were profligate in the attack and James was the only saving grace.

#3 Ancelotti vetoes his reluctant squad rotation policy; gives others a chance

One of the biggest criticisms landed at the Italian’s feet this tenure is his stubbornness towards squad rotation. The former Milan boss had played the same team day in and day out, for much of the season. But yesterday, with the crucial Sevilla tie in mind, Ancelotti made changes in the squad and the customary bench-warmers were handed a rare start.

Fabio Coentrao, Alvaro Arbeloa, Asier Illarramendi, Jese Rodriguez and Keylor Navas were all given a chanche to prove their mettl and despite a run-of-the-mill overall performance, were able to rack-up the important 3 points for the side. This gave some regulars a much-needed forty-winks ahead of a momentous fortnight, during which they’ll be up against Sevilla, Juventus, Valenca and Juventus again.

Youth team graduates Martin Odegaard and Borja Mayoral, who were named in the 18-man team, weren’t handed their debuts though.

#4 James has Iscos number after Modrics return

Real Madrid playmaker Luka Modric has sustained a collateral ligament of the knee two weeks back and is expected to be on the sidelines for another two weeks. His absence comes as a glint of hope for Isco, who has been relegated to the bench after the arrival of James Rodriguez. He was initially rested for this tie and came on late in the second half and is expected to join the starting XI over the weekend at Seville.

But this is going to continue only until the Croat’s recuperation period. Once he’s back, Isco is going to find himself on the bench again. The Spaniard has faltered in the chances given to him and is nowhere near to the Isco that starred in his debut season. He replaced the Colombian after the half hour mark but had minimal impact on the game. The latter, on the other hand, has been terrific in the recent weeks and has proved to be a vital asset in Real’s attack.

Modric is expected to return for the second leg clash against Juventus but at that time, James’ berth in the lineup is safe. But not that of Isco.

#5 Almeria running out of time

Having spent most of the time in the drop zone, two victories in their last three games had lifted Almeria to 17th in the table and out of the lurch. This defeat now has once again mounted pressure on them. Just two points is what keeps them into safety and have just 4 more games in hand to ensure a survival in the top flight.

On paper though, it looks very bleak as their remaining games are all against top half teams namely Celta Vigo, Malaga, Sevilla and Valencia. Barring the first two, the other two sides are Champions League hopefuls and are fighting tooth and nail for the berth.

The Andalusians are in for some serious trouble and time, indeed, is running out for them.