While Madrid were under a lot of pressure before the game in the wake of the Julen Lopetegui sacking this week, they were never likely to lose out against such an opposition as third division outfit Melilla.

The game started in scrappy fashion, with the away side going for it when they did have possession and frustrating the European champions without the ball, particularly in the middle of the park. The only real opportunity for the underdogs came through Igor Martinez who ran through on goal before dragging his shot wide of the post.

Madrid then unleashed a barrage on the Melilla goal through the efforts of Vinicuis, Lucas Vazquez and Marco Asensio but were unable to find a way through until the 27th minute.

Vazquez did well to run through the heart of the opposition midfield before picking out Odriozola on the right flank. The full-back carried on to the by-line and then squared the ball to find an unmarked Karim Benzema, who slotted in from juts a few yards out.

'Los Blancos' stepped up their efforts even more after the goal, and managed to find a second goal just before the break through some good work from youngster Vinicius. The Brazilian winger managed to slot the ball through the legs of a defender to find Marco Asensio at the edge of the box, who swept the ball home just before the break.

October 31, 2018

The visitors decided to take two of their big stars in Sergio Ramos and Karim Benzema off at the break, and Melilla improved slightly at the beginning of the second period.

Winger Ruano was the player to have the best chance to give the minnows some hope, but he could only drag his two efforts wide of Keylor Navas's post. Melilla's legs began to tire as the half drew on, and found themselves increasingly penned back in their own box as their ability to break forward waned.

With the match drawing to a close it looked like Madrid's finishing would leave the scoreline at 2-0, but Santiago Solari's men were able to find another.

A nice flick from Vinicius played in Reguillon on the left, whose powerful shot was well saved by Dani Barrio. Unfortunately for the goalkeeper, who had an excellent night, he was not able to keep hold of the ball and Alvaro Odriozola popped up to smash his first Real Madrid goal in from close range.

And it was Odriozola who provided the assist for the last goal of the game, as he managed to pick out youngster Cristo Gonzalez in the area just seconds before the final whistle to give Real Madrid their fourth goal.

Melilla should be proud of the effort that they put in across the match, and definitely caused Madrid significant frustration particularly for the first 20 minutes of either half.

However, the Solari era was able to get off to a winning start as the young guns of Real Madrid were just too good on the night- as should be expected.

October 31, 2018

Cristo González

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