Real Madrid return to winning ways on Wednesday after beating Las Palmas 2-0 in the La Liga at Santiago Bernabeu. It is the Los Blancos’s first game since their 3-1 loss in the Madrid derby at the weekend.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side was hoping to make Barcelona’s slip on Tuesday in a 2-2 draw at Mallorca count by winning and moving to the top of the La Liga table subject to Girona’s result at Villarreal on Wednesday as well.

Los Blancos were without Jude Bellingham due to a knock but had Vinicius Junior back in the team, but they struggled to break down a Las Palmas team that have just a win and a draw in seven games this season. The first goal came just before halftime as Brahim Diaz opened the scoring. Brahim Díaz’s strike is his first goal for Real Madrid since January 2020.

Joselu doubled the advantage nine minutes into the second half, and the Los Blancos held on for the victory as they moved into second place on the table, although Girona’s 2-1 win at Villarreal took them to the top of the La Liga table.

However, there were bigger concerns for Real Madrid and Carlo Ancelotti than Girona at the top of the table as injury problems increased as Antonio Rudiger appeared to limp off the pitch while David Alaba came off with an apparent injury in the first half. 

Real Madrid are already without Militão, and they play No. 1 Girona at the weekend and Napoli on Tuesday in UCL. Elsewhere, ten men Athletic Club held on to get a 2-2 draw against Getafe.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid have been linked with several managers who will potentially take over from Carlo Ancelotti when he leaves his position next summer to go and coach Brazil. Some of the names that have been mentioned include Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso and Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi.

Daniel Ademiju Idowu