Zinedine Zidane’s decision to make nine
changes to his Real Madrid team paid off as Isco inspired them to an
emphatic 6-2 win over Deportivo La Coruna.
Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Luka Modric
among others were rested following the Clasico defeat to Barcelona on
Sunday, with the likes of Isco, Marco Asensio, Lucas Vazquez and Alvaro
Morata coming into the side.
Morata opened the scoring after just 55
seconds, with James Rodriguez doubling the visitors’ advantage soon
after. Florin Andone halved the deficit before Vazquez restored Real
Madrid’s two-goal lead just before the break.
James added another, along with Isco and
Casemiro to complete the scoring for the away side, drawing Real Madrid
level with Barcelona at the top of La Liga, with Zidane’’s men still
holding a game in hand over their rivals.
TALKING POINT – Will Real Madrid’s strength in depth see them over the line?
Barcelona couldn’t have done what Real Madrid did tonight. The Catalans rotated their squad for the match against Osasuna,
but Zidane made no fewer than nine changes to the team that started the
Clasico on Sunday. But it made little difference as Real Madrid’s
second string blew away Deportivo La Coruna with little fuss.
MAN OF THE MATCH – Isco
It’s becoming rather ridiculous that
Isco isn’t an automatic first team starter at Real Madrid. Recent
performances, including this one, have underlined the fact that he might
even be their best player. This was the playmaker at his best, scoring
and creating a handful of others as he put Deportivo La Coruna to the
sword throughout. It’s no wonder Real Madrid are reportedly so keen to
tie him to a new contract.
PLAYER RATINGS
Deportivo La Coruña – Lux 6, Juanfran 5, Arribas 5, Sidnei 6, Luisinho 5, Bergantinos 6, Guilherme 5,Gil 6, Colas 5, Kakuta 5, Andone 7. Subs – Navarro 5, Tyton 5, Joselu 6.
Real Madrid – Casilla 6, Danilo 6, Varane 6, Nacho 5, Marcelo 8, Isco 9, James 8, Vazquez 7, Asensio 8, Morata 8. Subs – Tejero 5, Casemiro 7, Mariano 5.
KEY MOMENTS
1’ GOAL! Deportivo La Coruna 0-1 Real Madrid:
Real Madrid have taken the lead after just 55 seconds! Morata was
played in behind and smashed home a finish to give his team a 1-0 lead.
The goalkeeper might have done better.
14’ GOAL! Deportivo La Coruna 0-2 Real Madrid: The
visitors have doubled their advantage and Real Madrid are flying!
Vazquez got to the byline and cut back a pass for James, who made no
mistake in finishing into the Deportivo net.
34’ WHAT A SITTER! Morate
just had to score that. He had all the time in the world to pick his
spot from eight yards out, but Lux made the save to deny the Real Madrid
centre forward.
35’ GOAL! Deportivo La Coruna 1-2 Real Madrid: The
hosts are back in this game! Kakuta completely scuffed his shot across
the face of goal, but Andone was on hand to control it and finish high
into the Real Madrid net. The score is now 2-1!
45’ GOAL! Deportivo La Coruna 1-3 Real Madrid: Real
Madrid have stretched their two goal advantage again! Marcelo gets down
the outside, squares a cross and Vazquez finishes underneath Lux with a
calm, reactive shot.
66’ GOAL! Deportivo La Coruna 1-4 Real Madrid: And
that should be that. Real Madrid get in behind the Deportivo La Coruna
defence, with Morata skipping round the keeper before passing to James,
who makes no mistake with the finish.
77’ GOAL! Deportivo La Coruna 1-5 Real Madrid: And
that’s the goal his performance warrants! Isco has been excellent this
evening and he sweeps home a finish after a good run and cross into the
area from Vazquez.
85’ GOAL! Deportivo La Coruna 2-5 Real Madrid: He
has an excellent scoring record against Real Madrid and Joselu has
added another to his collection, getting in front of his marker to
glance home a header from six yards out.
87’ GOAL! Deportivo La Coruna 2-6 Real Madrid: There’s
a sixth goal for Real Madrid! The ball is played to Casemiro about 25
yards out and the Brazilian finds the back of the net with a low strike.
Lux probably should have done better.
KEY STATS
Isco has scored more goals than any other midfielder in La Liga in 2017.
James Rodriguez now has the second highest tally of goals and assists of any midfielder in La Liga this season.
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