Kathmandu: Former champions Real Madrid have made a winning start to the La Liga 2022/23 season. Real Madrid won 2-1 against Almeria today.
Real Madrid needed a wonderful free kick from David Alaba to squeeze past Almeria and get their La Liga title defence off to a winning start as they claimed a 2-1 victory.
The Manager Carlo Ancelotti made five changes from the Real side that beat Eintracht Frankfurt in the UEFA Super Cup, with Alaba, Casemiro, Eder Militao and Luka Modric all being benched as Aurelien Tchouameni and Antonio Rudiger made their league debuts.
That decision looked to have backfired when Largie Ramazani put the hosts ahead, but Lucas Vazquez equalised before substitute Alaba scored with his first touch in the 75th minute, curling in a free kick barely moments after his introduction.
Real fell behind early on as Ramazani latched onto a lobbed pass from Inigo Eguaras to run in and fire beyond Thibaut Courtois to give the hosts an unfancied lead.
Los Blancos went close in quick succession after going behind, with Federico Valverde drawing Fernando Martinez into a flying stop at the near post before Karim Benzema skewed over from Vinicius Junior’s cut back under pressure from Kayky.
They remained susceptible on the counter attack, however, and almost fell 2-0 behind when Umar Sadiq broke free and smashed just over the bar.
Benzema started to get his radar going as he headed into Martinez’s arms from Toni Kroos’ swinging cross, though Almeria continued to carry a threat as Sadiq tussled with La Liga debutant Antonio Rudiger and Nacho throughout the first half.
