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Real Madrid might win La Liga on Monday after a routine 2-Zero win over Alaves on Friday put them inside touching distance of the title. With suspended skipper Sergio Ramos sitting within the stands, Karim Benzema took over the armband after which penalty duties, firing in from the spot earlier than teeing up Marco Asensio so as to add a second on the Alfredo di Stefano Stadium. After restoring their four-point benefit on the prime of the desk, the strain is again on Barcelona. If Barca fail to win away at Real Valladolid on Saturday, Madrid will clinch the title with two video games to spare by beating Granada on Monday at Los Carmenes.
Yet even when Madrid have to attend, it appears inevitable they may hoist the trophy given in addition they boast the superior head-to-head file in opposition to Barcelona with three video games left.
Madrid can afford to attract two of these, even when Barcelona handle three victories out of three.
“We still don’t know what is going to happen,” mentioned Real coach Zinedine Zidane. “La Liga is very hard and we have three finals still to go.”
“We have to stay focused,” added Raphael Varane.
After sacking their coach Asier Garitano final week following 5 consecutive defeats Alaves by no means appeared prone to trigger an upset.
This loss in Juan Ramon Lopez Muniz’s first recreation in cost leaves them hovering above the relegation zone, solely three factors forward of Real Mallorca, who’ve hope after their win over Levante on Thursday.
Zidane might be relieved all the identical, notably as he needed to do with no string of key gamers.
Ramos and Dani Carvajal have been each banned whereas Marcelo was injured, taking out three of Madrid’s common again 4.
Eden Hazard was unable to begin however got here on within the second half to ease issues about niggling issues together with his ankle.
A makeshift defence, together with Lucas Vazquez at right-back, chalked up one other clear sheet, Madrid’s fifth in a row for the primary time in 12 years. It can also be their sixth in eight gams for the reason that restart.
Alaves might need broke that run within the first jiffy as Joselu headed in opposition to the crossbar and Lucas Perez’s follow-up needed to be cleared off the road by Varane.
Eder Militao then needed to make a wonderfully timed problem to stop Perez going clear.
But Madrid survived after which took the lead within the 11th minute, Ferland Mendy driving to the road and taking place underneath the sliding sort out of Ximo Navarro, who caught him together with his trailing leg.
Benzema scored the penalty for his 23rd purpose of the season.
Oliver Burke twice triggered Madrid issues with weaving runs ahead earlier than Benzema damage his neck from an ungainly fall on the stroke of half-time.
Benzema was in a position to proceed however injured referee Gil Manzano was changed by Rodriguez Carpallo, whose first large determination was to permit Madrid’s second purpose.
Rodrygo did nicely to muscle his method via midfield earlier than releasing Benzema, who appeared offside however sped ahead and side-footed for Asensio to faucet in. Replays confirmed Benzema had timed his run and the purpose stood.
Promoted
Thibaut Courtois needed to make two good saves however Madrid have been cruising by the tip.
Rodrygo and Vinicius Junior ought to have made it three when queueing up on the again submit however two was sufficient.
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