Match Review: Ancelotti is playing with fire with Vinicius and Benzema

Carlo Ancelotti's Real Madrid are starting to run like clockwork and the latest example came in the Champions League as Los Blancos beat Sheriff 3-0 to advance to the knockout rounds alongside Inter.

Los Blancos were impressive and solid and had moments of real class on the night. Ancelotti may have some issues, though, if he doesn't start making changes earlier, with David Alaba having had to go off injured on the night.

But Real Madrid's real strength will be seen when they face Athletic Club, Real Sociedad, Inter and Atletico Madrid soon. The schedule is demanding and it's going to tell if Real Madrid have what it takes to compete for everything this season.

Toni Kroos scored another gorgeous strike which has become his trademark in recent years, receiving the ball from Rodrygo before dispatching with style. The ball bounced over the line and, although he knew it, Kroos had to wait until the referee's wristband vibrated to validate the goal.

Ancelotti knows his first-choice XI at Real Madrid and showed that against Sheriff. That team has Rodrygo ahead of Marco Asensio, even though the Mallorcan had scored against Granada recently, Eder Militao is ahead of Nacho as well, and the rest are expected.

Alaba had to go off injured and he'll likely miss Sevilla and another match. It wouldn't be fair to blame Ancelotti, but he has to start making earlier changes to avoid these injuries. Players like Benzema, Modric, Vinicius and Alaba are so important that they have to be managed with great care and attention. Let's remember that Real Madrid play Sevilla, Athletic, La Real, Inter and Atleti next.

Jonathan Barnett returned to Madrid to bemoan Gareth Bale's treatment from fans, all while Real Madrid were comfortably winning without the Welshman.