Seeking to bounce back from their first La Liga defeat of the season, Real Madrid return to home comforts at the Santiago Bernabeu for Thursday’s clash with Cadiz.
Los Blancos were put to the sword 3-2 by Rayo Vallecano on Monday night, while their visitors held Getafe to a 0-0 draw at the weekend.
Prior to Monday night’s trip to Rayo Vallecano, a couple of draws were the only blots on the domestic notebook for an otherwise faultless Real Madrid, but their defence was carved open three times in a 3-2 loss as Barcelona fans watched on with glee.
Santi Comesana and Alvaro Garcia struck either side of Luka Modric and Eder Militao’s responses in a frenetic first half, but in the 67th minute of the match, Oscar Trejo stepped up to convert from the penalty spot after Dani Carvajal had handled the ball.
Thibaut Courtois actually kept out the initial spot kick, but a retake was ordered after the Belgian was shown to have been off his line, and Los Blancos missed the chance to leapfrog Barcelona at the top of the table and will remain in second place for the time being.
Should Barcelona get the better of Osasuna on Tuesday, the gap between the two Clasico rivals will be extended to five points before Real return to action, and a record of just one win from their last four in all tournaments is not the sort of form that we have become accustomed to seeing from the European champions.
However, a return to the capital is just what the doctor ordered for Los Blancos, who are unbeaten at the Bernabeu in all competitions this season, but they have also conceded once in each of their last six home matches, and Cadiz will take any glimmer of hope that they can get this week.
While there was very little goalmouth action in Cadiz’s clash with Getafe over the weekend, the stories were written elsewhere. Three injuries, three red cards and over 100 minutes later, neither side could find the breakthrough at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez.
Gaston Alvarez and Portu both saw red for Getafe deep into second-half stoppage time before Cadiz’s Luis Hernandez was also sent for an early bath, but that point could yet prove to be a pivotal one in the visitors’ efforts to avoid demotion to the Segunda Division.
Having semi-recovered from their disastrous start to the campaign, Cadiz have only lost one of their last eight La Liga matches – winning two and drawing the other five – but they remain below the dotted line in 19th, with Celta Vigo and Sevilla only ahead on goal difference.
Depending on results elsewhere this week, Sergio’s side could potentially lift themselves to safety with a shock win at the Bernabeu, and Real Madrid must certainly have their wits about them versus a side who defeated their local rivals Atletico Madrid only two weekends ago.
However, Cadiz’s record of a paltry three goals away from home is the joint-fewest in the division alongside Almeria, but the visitors did impressively manage to hold Real Madrid to a pair of draws last season, and now may be the best time to try to replicate or better those eye-catching results.
Real Madrid La Liga form:
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Real Madrid form (all competitions):
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Cadiz La Liga form:
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We say: Real Madrid 3-0 Cadiz
Facing a Cadiz side with an extremely depleted defence should be the perfect tonic for Real Madrid after their first domestic defeat of the season, and no surprises should be sprung at the Bernabeu on Thursday.
Los Blancos have not been steadfast defensively at the Bernabeu, but Thursday’s game should provide Ancelotti’s side with a much-needed win and clean sheet, even if their visitors have demonstraded a more resilient streak of late.