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Real Madrid wins in Opener, Thanks to Benzema!

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Karim Benzema continued from last season and played a crucial role for Real Madrid.

Madrid’s Spanish league opener was won by Madrid on Saturday by Benzema, who scored twice in the team’s comfortable win at Alaves (4-1).
Carlo Ancelotti, Madrid’s second coach, said that Benzema is much more than a striker.

“He is a more complete player than when he was coached by me a few years back.”

Madrid was also awarded a goal by Nacho Fernandez. He was one of the defenders who stepped in to replace Sergio Ramos after 16 seasons, as the club did not want to extend his contract.
Fernandez stated that:

“This is just the beginning, there’s still much to do, but it was important for us to start with a victory like these.”

Madrid took the lead with Benzema’s shot from within the area, which was the team’s top scorer and leader under Zinedine Zidane last season. It came after a clever backheel touch of Eden Hazard in the 48th minute. Six minutes after Fernandez’s cross from Luka Modric, Benzema scored his second goal from close range.
Alaves scored a second goal with a penalty kick in the 65th by Joselu Mateo, and substitute Vinicius Jr completed the scoring two minutes before the end of stoppage time.
Madrid remained unbeaten in league openings since 2008. The team did not win a title last season before Zidane left, and Ancelotti was hired again. In his first season with Madrid, the coach from Italy had won four titles.
The Mendizorroza Stadium was home to approximately 4,000 people. This was because Spanish health officials allowed the league’s restart to accommodate crowds up to 40%.
Madrid won its first match in three consecutive away matches. September is the team’s home game. It hopes to have the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium field ready for the first home match. While the venue is currently under renovation, matches will still be held there while work continues.
Ramos joined Paris Saint-Germain, but Madrid also lost Raphael Varane, a Madrid defender, to Manchester United.
David Alaba, a central defender who came from Bayern Munich, was used as a left-back because Ferland Mendy, Marcelo, and Marcelo were absent. Eder Militao and Fernandez, both reserves, were in the middle.
Madrid was also without Toni Kroos, a veteran midfielder. Federico Valverde played in his place.
Ancelotti’s attack featured Hazard, Benzema, and Gareth Bale, who returned from a season of the loan with Tottenham.
Alaves finished 16th last year, four points higher than the zone of relegation.
Barcelona will open its first season without Lionel Messi in nearly 20 years with a match against Real Sociedad on Sunday. Celta Vigo will host Atletico Madrid, the defending champion.

OTHER RESULTS

Alfonso Espino scored in the second half to save Cadiz’s 1-1 draw with Levante. Jose Luis Morales scored the 39th goal for the visitors.
Promoted Mallorca led against Real Betis, with Brian Olivan scoring in 25th. Juanmi Jimenez scored for Real Betis in the 59th.
Espanyol, who, like Mallorca, returned to the top flight following a one-year absence, drew at Osasuna 0-0.

Reference: Beloit Daily News