1-0: NARROW DEFEAT IN MADRID AFTER MODRIC STUNNER

After VAR González Fuertes chalked off Lucas Vázquez’ early goal, we restricted the league leaders and soaked up pressure as Sergio Ramos put in a solid showing on his highly-anticipated return to the capital and Ørjan Nyland was superb in goal against a Madrid side missing Jude Bellingham. However, with the prospect of taking something from the game growing, substitute Modric delivered the game’s defining moment with a quality goal that left Nyland no chance.

With eight points from the last available 12 prior to this game, there was a sense of optimism heading into the contest and, despite the loss, a commendable performance showed further proof of our recent improvement while Madrid cemented their lead at the top of the table with another home win.

Two minutes before the hosts' disallowed goal, we were inches away from opening the scoring

After being found by Lucas Ocampos in space on the left, Isaac squared for Youssef En-Nesyri in the first clear chance of the game, but our Moroccan striker could only blast wide when well-placed.

Madrid then went up the other end, Lucas Vázquez collecting a through ball from Vini Jr before finishing smartly into the bottom left corner. However, referee Díaz de Mera Escuderos, who was later forced off with a calf issue, was advised to go to the monitor for a Nacho foul on En-Nesyri in the build up and duly disallowed the goal.

Following the reprieve, we showed the same compact shape seen at Valencia, allowing the hosts limited first-half opportunities and taking the sting out of the game after an open start. In first-half injury time, Nyland, a virtual bystander for much of the opening period, was called into action when he brilliantly tipped Federico Valverde’s vicious long-range effort over the bar to keep the game scoreless.

Then, after Valverde’s deflected shot came back off the post just after the re-start, our dependable Norwegian stopper produced another superb save, palming away Vini Jr’s left-footed curler at full stretch. Andriy Lunin was also in fine form in the home goal and, minutes before, had somehow deflected Isaac’s first-time shot round his right-hand post when everyone inside the 81000-capacity Bernabéu was waiting for the net to bulge.

With Englishman Bellingham missing for Madrid due to an ankle issue, it was ultimately up to veteran midfielder Modric, introduced in the latter stages from the bench, to provide inspiration from the middle. In the 81st minute, the Croat gave yet another example of his enduring class when he collected the ball outside the box and curled into the top right corner past the despairing Nyland. It was a strike of the highest quality and needed to be to beat the defiant Norwegian. There was then insufficient time for us to find an equaliser, seeing Madrid extend their lead at the top of the league. Nevertheless, head coach Quique Sánchez Flores will have plenty of positives to take from the display as he looks ahead to Real Sociedad next weekend.