Real Madrid was able to pull out a 2-1 win over Cordoba this past Saturday in a game that was very different than most fans imagined it would be. When Real Madrid was listed as a massive -807 favorite going into the game, many people figured the biggest recap headline would the margin of victory. As it turns, the biggest storyline was Cristiano Ronaldo’s exit after he was shown a red card for swiping at the head of a Cordoba player that had gotten under his skin. The dismissal resulted in Real Madrid being reduced to 10 men against a defiant Cordoba side. They laid it all on the line trying to steal an important couple of points from the La Liga leaders.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dN11mJnu8xA
While everyone is worried about how Real Madrid might survive without Ronaldo – especially since they hold just a one-point lead over second-place Barcelona – the truth is that a possible suspension to the Ballon d’Or winner is actually be a good thing in the long run.
Pressure Could Bring Out Their Best
The red card as a result of violent conduct means Ronaldo will likely be banned for two more La Liga games and that will likely force manager Carlo Ancelotti’s hand with something he has not had to do all year. The Real Madrid manager will have to replace Ronaldo in his starting 11 for a game against Sevilla and more importantly for an away match with Atletico Madrid. Real Madrid is currently just one point up on Barcelona and three points up on Atletico Madrid for top spot in La Liga meaning Ancelloti will be on the hot seat to find a suitable replacement and plan of attack with crucial points up for grabs. The pressure could very well bring the best out of the players that make the starting 11 for the next two games and it will be interesting to see how they react.
Ancelotti Will Finally Put The Team’s Depth To Work
Ronaldo has undoubtedly been Real Madrid’s most utilized player all year while Ancelotti’s lack of a rotation has been most evident up front where he has stuck with Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, and Karim Benzema for the most part. Javier Hernandez has barely been seen after coming over from Manchester United in the summer while Jese Rodriguez has only come off the bench in spurts since recovering from an injury that kept him out earlier in the year. It will be interesting to see how Ancelotti handles the situation without Ronaldo with a possibility that both Hernandez and Rodriguez see an opportunity, along with Bale and Benzema. There’s also the possibility of moving James Rodriguez out wide in the forward spot remains as well. Ronaldo has shouldered a heavy burden this season and it will be important for the other forwards on the roster to get a chance to step up and play a role in trying to secure six points over the next two games.
Ronaldo Gets To Rest
The final aspect of the suspension helping Real Madrid is the fact that Ronaldo gets a few days off to rest in the midst of what has been another grueling season. The Ballon d’Or winner has been able to stay fit despite a knee injury that really hampered him during the World Cup and Real Madrid will need him at his best the rest of the way as they look to wrap up a La Liga title while also competing for a Champions League trophy.
The timing isn’t great as Real will face a couple of tough test with Sevilla and Atletico Madrid coming up, but the good news is Ronaldo will get a chance to take a step back over these next couple of weeks and recharge. In the long run, it might be the best thing for both him and for the rest of the team.
