Asier Illarramendi came on with half an hour to go in the match between Deportivo and Real Madrid. With him on the pitch, ‘Los Blancos’ took back complete control of the game.

After Medunjanin converted his penalty, Deportivo went on the attack in search of a second, and Ancelotti did not want to see a repeat of what happened at Anoeta.

The Italian realised that the situation on the pitch had changed and took off Benzema, replacing him with Illarramendi in order to give the side more balance and stop their opponents from getting back into the game.

The change worked perfectly. Real Madrid took back complete control and killed off the game with some superb goals. The midfielder gave his team just what his manager asked of him: balance and control.
He made 41 good passes and did not give the ball away once. Real scored five goals with him on the pitch, although it is true that Deportivo’s physical productivity dropped considerably.

There was also a change of system when Illarra came on. Real Madrid went from playing a 4-3-3 to a 4-4-2, with Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo as the strikers. It was after this that Bale scored twice and the Portuguese striker netter a third.

James Rodríguez also changed his role when Illarra came on. The number 10 was relieved of his defensive duties and was able to push a few metres further up the pitch.


-  Column by Alejandro Albadalejo (MARCA) (22-09-14)