Real Madrid hosted Leganes at the Santiago Bernabeu in the La Liga clash. The match though will not impact the points table much as The Galacticos are pretty much out of the title race and Barcelona can wrap the title this week with a positive result. Leganes, on the other hand, are 12 points over the relegation zone, so they also didn’t have much to play for.
As expected, Zinedine Zidane made wholesale changes to the lineup keeping in mind the important clash against Bayern Munich on Tuesday. Gareth Bale put the home team in front in the 8th minute with an acrobatic finish from close range. Madrid dominated the early proceedings but slowly Leganes grew into the game and created some good chances for themselves. They came close twice only to be denied by the crossbar. They got a sucker punch deep into the stoppage time of first half as Borja Mayoral got a goal from close range. There was some controversy as the linesman first denied the goal but after a discussion with the referee, the goal was given and a correct call was made in the end.
Leganes started off strongly in the second half and they got their reward as they scored their only goal via Darko Brasanac as he got on the end of Amrabat’s cross. They had more shots on goal and on target than Real Madrid and with a little bit of luck, they would have claimed a draw at least. However, Real Madrid went on to secure a narrow win in the end.
This is how the Los Blancos fared in the clash against Leganes-
Casilla: 6
Couldn’t have done much to prevent the goal. Looked assured most of the times and his ball handling was good.
Achraf: 7.5
The youngster impressed in his rare start and was good going forward. Made few important tackles and interceptions as well.
Vallejo: 6.5
Looked solid at the back and a strong display from the centre-back
Casemiro:5
Didn’t play in his preferred defensive midfield position and was found wanting sometimes in the centre back role.
Theo Hernandez: 5
Failed to contain Nordin Amrabat as he set up Brasanac with a cross which led to Leganes’s solitary goal.
Ceballos: 6
Could have done better as he squandered some good chances in the final third of the pitch.
Kovacic: 6
Was his usual self in midfield and controlled the tempo of the game. His cross led to the second goal which was scored by Mayoral.
Llorente: 5
Didn’t make any errors but also wasn’t able to provide the spark in the middle of the park.
Bale: 8
Was a constant threat down the right-hand side and opened the scoring with a smart finish. Made a case for himself for a start against Bayern Munich.
Benzema: 6
Was given the captaincy and had a decent game in front of goal. Didn’t get any clear cut chances to score though.
Mayoral: 6.5
Missed a few opportunities but was in the right place at the right time for Madrid’s second goal.
SUBSTITUTES
Asensio: 5
Played close to half an hour but was unable to influence the game much.
Toni Kroos: 6
Came on in place of Kovacic and did his job in the midfield.
