Football new - Real Madrid fight back to beat Real Valladolid but questions remain over Santi Solari

Updated 10/03/2019 at 22:38 GMT

Estadio Jose Zorrilla, La Liga - Real Valladolid 1 (Anuar 29') Real Madrid 4 (Varane 34', Benzema 51' (pen), 59', Modric 85')

Marco Asensio of Real Madrid, Raphael Varane of Real Madrid, Casemiro of Real Madrid during the La Liga Santander match between Real Valladolid v Real Madrid on March 10, 2019

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Real Madrid fought back from behind, claiming a 4-1 away win over Real Valladolid despite finishing the match with 10 men amid speculation over Santiago Solari’s future.

Many Spanish outlets believe Jose Mourinho will replace Solari as Real manager in the coming days, but this result at least shows there remains some fight in the capital side, even if their season has now fallen apart.

It looked set to come apart at the seams completely as Valladolid battered them in the opening 20 minutes, missing a penalty kick and having two goals chalked off via VAR. Finally, they took the lead when Anuar finished off a Sergi Guardiola pass to the back post.

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Real Valladolid celebrate a goal, but it is ruled out following a VAR decision during the La Liga match between Real Valladolid CF and Real Madrid CF at Jose Zorrilla on March 10, 2019 in Valladolid, Spain.

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The hosts had chances to extend their advantage, but Madrid levelled against the run of play when Raphael Varane turned home into the empty net after a fumble by Real Valladolid goalkeeper Jordi Masip.

From there, Real took a grip of the contest. Karim Benzema bagged a brace before Casemiro was sent off for a second bookable offence. Luka Modric then added a fourth late on after a wonderful dribble into the box.

The win steadies what was a sinking ship after the midweek collapse to Ajax, keeping Real firmly in contention for a top four finish. Next up for them is a home game against Celta Vigo, but who will be in the dugout?

TALKING POINT - Was this the end for Santiago Solari as Real Madrid manager?

If recent reports are to be believed, this result will barely factor in the future of Solari as Real Madrid manager. Mourinho is expected to replace him at the Santiago Bernabeu in the coming days, but with the scoreline at 1-1 at half time few would have been surprised had Florentino Perez sacked Solari before the second half. Real managed to turn things around, but was this the end for Solari as the club’s manager? It seems likely.

Santiago Solari, Manager of Real Madrid looks on prior to the La Liga match between Real Valladolid CF and Real Madrid CF at Jose Zorrilla on March 10, 2019 in Valladolid, Spain.

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MAN OF THE MATCH - Alvaro Odriozola (Real Madrid)

In a dismal season for Real , the emergence of Alvaro Odriozola has been a highlight. Signed from Real Sociedad in the summer, the young right back has provided some real competition to Dani Carvajal and this was one of his best performances so far this season, with his pace down the wing giving Real Madrid an outlet when they needed one most of all in the second half. Valladolid couldn’t cope with Odriozola as he contributed an assist and won a penalty.

Alvaro Odriozola (19) and Nacho of Real Madrid (6) applaud the travelling fans after the La Liga match between Real Valladolid CF and Real Madrid CF at Jose Zorrilla on March 10, 2019 in Valladolid, Spain.

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PLAYER RATINGS

Real Valladolid - Masip 4, Antonito 6, Joaquin 5, Calero 5, Nacho 5, Anuar 7, Michel 5, Alcaraz 4, Keko 6, Guardiola 7, Plano 5. Subs - Cop 5, Verde 6, Unal 5.

Real Madrid - Courtois 6, Odriozola 8, Nacho 6, Varane 7, Reguilon 6, Modric 6, Casemiro 5, Kroos 5, Ceballos 6, Benzema 8, Asensio 5. Subs - Valverde 5, Marcelo, Vallejo.

KEY MOMENTS

12’ PENALTY KICK TO REAL VALLADOLID! The referee points to the spot after Plano was bundled over in the box by Odriozola.

13’ PENALTY SKIED! Oh my goodness. What a dreadful penalty kick effort from Alcaraz. He cleared the Real Madrid crossbar by about 10 yards! What an awful, awful spot kick. Incredible.

14’ GOAL! Real Valladolid 1-0 Real Madrid: What a crazy, crazy couple of minutes! After missing a penalty kick Real Valladolid break up the pitch and Guardiola converts at the back post following an exceptional low cross across the six yard box, but we are going to have a VAR review! Will it stand?

15’ Goal doesn't stand! Incredible. What mayhem in this match. The replays show that Guardiola was in fact offside when the ball was played to the back post and the goal is chalked off!

18’ GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO... NO! Another goal has been chalked off using VAR. Real Valladolid had the ball in the net again, but Guardiola was offside. That was the correct call.

29’ GOAL! Real Valladolid 1-0 Real Madrid: Real Valladolid have the ball in the back of the net again and this time it stands! Guardiola gets on the end of a diagonal ball into the Real Madrid box to send a pass right across the face of goal and Anuar was on hand to convert! The hosts are finally ahead!

Thibaut Courtois of Real Madrid reacts as Anuar of Real Valladolid scores his team's first goal past during the La Liga match between Real Valladolid CF and Real Madrid CF at Jose Zorrilla on March 10, 2019 in Valladolid, Spain

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34’ GOAL! Real Valladolid 1-1 Real Madrid: Out of nowhere, it's an equaliser for Real Madrid! Masip flaps at a punch, allowing the ball to hit off Nacho and fall at the feet of Varane, who finishes into the empty net. Real Madrid are, somehow, back on level terms again.

50’ PENALTY KICK TO REAL MADRID! Odriozola is felled in the box by Plano. He came steaming in with the tackle! Stupid.

51’ GOAL! Real Valladolid 1-2 Real Madrid: Benzema steps up to the 12-yard mark and he converts to put Real Madrid ahead! The Frenchman sent Masip the wrong way from the spot and the away side have scored a second goal, once again against the run of the overall play!

59’ GOAL! Real Valladolid 1-3 Real Madrid: It's a third goal for Real Madrid and it's a second for Benzema! The French striker got on the end of a Kroos corner kick into the opposition penalty area and he glanced a header into the far corner of Masip's net! Well taken by Benzema.

80’ SENT OFF! Real Madrid will finish the match with 10 men. Casemiro was already on a booking when he committed a foul and the referee flashes a second yellow card to the Brazilian.

85’ GOAL! Real Valladolid 1-4 Real Madrid: The 10 men of Real Madrid has put this game to bed and Modric grabs the fourth goal to secure the points! The Croatian dribbled into the box, throwing in a step-over for good measure, and then sends a side-foot finish into the back of the net.