Real Madrid have a serious problem in the first 45 minutes

Once again, a left footed strike from Marco Asensio allowed Real Madrid to win the game at the Santiago Bernabeu, this time against Alaves. That means they will be at least four points clear of Sevilla in La Liga, if not more, come the end of the weekend. 

Just like in the last league game against Granada, a strike from Asensio in the second half broke the deadlock for Real Madrid. They were struggling against a team who are fighting to stay up and are the team with the worst away record in the league. 

This time, Asensio's tremendous left footed shot came in the 63rd minute and just after Marco Asensio had gifted an opportunity to Alaves' Pere Pons. Asensio's pass back was a poor one, but Pons hit wide of the goal after going round Thibaut Courtois. 

Asensio, who had not had a good game up to then, soon redeemed himself. He was hurt by the whistles from fans after the mistake which nearly saw Alaves score. Aliviado asked for the support of fans not long after scoring and he received an ovation from the Real Madrid fans when he was taken off. 

Once again, Real Madrid were poor in the first half and reacted in the second to decide a key game in the battle for the La Liga title. Seven consecutive games in which Ancelotti's men have failed to score in the first 45 minutes. 

In addition, 34 of the 51 La Liga goals Real Madrid have scored have been in the second half. That is proof that 'Los Blancos' are slow starters, but pick up in the second 45. 

With Real Madrid 1-0 up, Madrid found more space and, after Karim Benzema struck the post from a Vinicius pass, they switched roles and Vinicius made it 2-0. That was the Brazilian's first goal since 8th January. 

The victory was rounded off with a Benzema penalty in stoppage time. It was a huge win for Madrid after drawing away to Villarreal and losing to PSG in the Champions League in midweek.