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There's new blood at Real Madrid, drawn from its own personal font of youth. Almería was a night to remember for Isco and Illarramendi, who Ancelotti changed the formation to accommodate; for Carvajal, providing a football frenzy down the right flank; for Morata, who scored again; for Jesé, who did not score but provided two assists; and for Casemiro, setting up Morata and firing a shot off the post. Carlo's boys are here to stay.
There have never been so many members of 'Baby Real' on the pitch at the same time this season. The average age of Ancelotti's starting line-up – which included the three European Under-21 champions - for the game at the Mediterráneo stadium, was 26.5 years old, falling to an average of 25.2 by the end.
If we focus purely on the area of attack, that average comes down further still, to 23 years old. Only Nacho was left out of the party. Beside him on the bench was José Rodríguez, daydreaming about when his moment would arrive.
"Every time they play, they do a good job and show that they are ready to play for Real Madrid", said Ancelotti. The Italian and his coaching staff try to protect them and not place the same amount of responsibility on their shoulders as the seasoned players, but the youngsters are chomping at the bit to make themselves indispensable to their manager.