Las Palmas arrived at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday night with a game plan that was executed with aplomb, bearing Real Madrid’s individual issues like few have managed this season.
Shipwrecked from the first minute, Los Blancos were overcome in the centre of the park and it took a miracle to salvage a point as Quique Setien’s bombardiering visitors were the better side in almost every aspect.
Possession was largely with Las Palmas, to the tune of 58 percent-42 percent, and their 571 passes measured a success rate of 88 percent, again surpassing Real’s 86 percent completion ratio from 413 passes.
It’s a rare surprise when Madrid are outfought, but Roque Mesa ued the ball 22 more times across the 90 minutes than Toni Kroos, far outweighing the German’s meek contribution.
Las Palmas were also allowed 17 shots on Keylor Navas’ goal, running seven kilometres further to take advantage of the space left by Gareth Bale’s red card.
The Welshman’s crossed wires summed up Real’s woe and Sergio Ramos was little better, losing goalscorer Tana for the original equaliser and coming undone to concede a penalty with a handball.
It’s telling that hardly any were capable of stepping above the parapets as their teammates lost their heads on Wednesday night, Keylor Navas another guilty of terrible decision making as Los Merengues contrived to draw at home to a side that had won just five points on the road all season.
Marca.com
