Ronaldo rescues Real Madrid, but writing is on the wall for Rafa

 

The Portuguese scored an impressive second to dig his side out of a hole against Real Sociedad on Wednesday, but his coach looks unlikely to last much longer on this form

Rafa Benitez is on borrowed time. The Spaniard was whistled for the fourth home game in a row as Real Madrid beat Real Sociedad 3-1 at the Santiago Bernabeu and he needed a Cristiano Ronaldo rescue act in order to survive another day.

Madrid had won their last two home matches by eight-goal magins: 8-0 against Malmo and 10-2 over Rayo Vallecano. And although this game got off to a lively start, the home team never looked likely to have it so easy against a plucky Real Sociedad side.

Against Rayo before Christmas, two red cards helped Madrid when things were going against them. This time, it was two penalties. The first of those was awarded for an alleged push on Karim Benzema and appeared highly contentious. In any case, Ronaldo blasted over the bar.

The Portuguese did not fail at the next time of asking as the officials awarded a second spot-kick, this for a handball by Yuri Berchiche. However, the ball had hit the defender's leg before his arm and therefore should not have been given.So for the second game in a row, Madrid had the officials to thank and it was just as well because they were creating very little on their own. With Toni Kroos still struggling in midfield, Madrid lacked balance in the absence of Casemiro, while Danilo was caught out of position time and time again at right-back. Benitez, it seems, has abandonded his own principles and just like in the 4-0 Clasico loss to Barcelona, there was a huge gap between the defence and the attack.

And when substitute Bruma equalised with a fine curling effort four minutes into the second half, Madrid were in trouble. The fans, who had booed Benitez and also Ronaldo after his penalty miss, showed their ire again as Rafa brought off James Rodriguez and sent on Mateo Kovacic in the Colombian's place.

For a little while it looked like Real Sociedad may even go on to win the game, but Ronaldo found some inspiration as he hooked a left-footed finish past Geronimo Rulli from a corner. It was a moment of individual brilliance from the Portuguese when Madrid needed him most - and a goal that ensures Benitez will still be in a job at the start of 2016.

Gareth Bale's excellent cross set up Lucas Vazquez for a third later on, but the scoreline once again did not tell the tale. While Madrid were awarded two highly dubious penalties, Real Sociedad were twice denied spot-kicks for what looked like clear fouls by Keylor Navas and Pepe at the other end. Once again, Benitez benefitted from officials' decisions - but they merely papered over the cracks in another dire display.More worrying for Rafa will be the fact that they are unable to open up teams they are expected to beat easily. Against Real Sociedad, they did just enough in the end. But the fans were far from convinced by what they saw and there were more jeers at the final whistle.

"I congratulated Cristiano," the Madrid boss said afterwards. "He assumed responsibility after missing the penalty and he took the team on his shoulders."

That he did and no wonder Benitez is grateful because a defeat or even a draw in this game could have had disastrous consequences for the under-pressure coach.

Ronaldo, however, won't always get a second penalty to make amends, while Madrid may find it even more difficult away from home and against more difficult rivals than Real Sociedad - starting away to Valencia on January 3rd in their first game of 2016."There is no point changing coach halfway through the year," Pepe said in the mixed zone afterwards. "We would have to adapt to another one and that's not good. We have to give the boss time to work."

It was hardly a ringing endorsement for Benitez, who spoke on Tuesday of a "campaign" against him and president Florentino Perez.

If there is negative press for Rafa in Spain, however, it is because there are severe doubts about his abilities within the club at the very top and in any case, the fans are not happy with what they are seeing at the moment.

So the only way out for Benitez, as with any Madrid boss, is results - and he hasn't managed to beat any of the big teams yet with Real in La Liga. Against Valencia next week would be a good time to start - or it could all be over for Rafa before the New Year has barely begun.