Real 2-0 Alaves: Real Madrid two win away from title

Real 2-0 Alaves Real Madrid two win away from title
Real 2-0 Alaves Real Madrid two win away from title

Real Madrid are two wins away from clinching La Liga title for 2019-20 season, as they beat struggling Alaves 2-0 Alfredo Di Stefano stadium.

Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos, Dani Carvajal and Marcelo were not available for the match. James Rodriguez was not included in the matchday team for the second match in a row.

Alaves almost took a shock lead early in the match when former Newcastle striker Joselu’s header crashed off the bar, and Lucas Perez’s attempt was cleared off the line by Raphael Varane.

Karim Benzema provided the lead to the La Liga topper from a penalty after Ximo Navarro tripped Ferland Mendy on the penalty area.

Benzema then assisted Marco Asensio for the second goal for Real Madrid. Real Madrid awarded the goal as VAR overruled the initial offside decision.

Defending champion Barcelona currently trail by four points and, so Real Madrid have to win two out of rest three matches to win La Liga title. Any slip up from Barca will make the job for Real Madrid much easier.

Regardless, two wins – or one win and two draws – from their remaining three games will bring the title to Madrid, as Real Madrid have a better head-to-head record.

Alaves, three points above the relegation zone, were overseen by new manager Juan Lopez Muniz for the first time after a five-game losing run had led to Asier Garitano’s departure.

Benzema, who led Madrid in the absence of Ramos, scored 18th league goal of the season. Alaves remained lively, with West Brom winger Oliver Burke forcing a save from Thibaut Courtois.

If Real can clinch the title, it will be their second title in eight years, with the last came in 2016-17, during Zidane’s previous spell as manager.

He’s a very important player and a great influence, It’s a team effort, but Thibaut is stopping a lot of goals and we’re doing very well.

Not conceding goals is impossible, but it’s true that we’re conceding very few. We have to keep doing what we’re doing and we have a very fit Courtois.

The team don’t concede a lot.”

Zinedine Zidane, Real Madrid Manager, when quizzed about his goalkeeper after the win over Alaves.