After a first half display which can at best be summed up as tepid, one might have expected the game to get better. But on a sunny Sunday afternoon at the Santiago Bernabeu, viewers were hard –pressed for some excitement in the game.
For league leaders, Real Madrid, this game presented an opportunity to go top of the table by 5 points, with second-placed Barcelona playing later in the day. Instead, the match saw a very “leggy’ Madrid display. After a mid-week Champions League tie against Polish club, Legia Warsaw, which saw Madrid grab a thrilling 3-3 draw, the players’ sluggishness in the early stages was understandable.
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Gareth Bale continued his fine run of scoring form, bagging a brace after poor defending left the Welsh international unmarked for his 4th and 5th goals in the league. Alvaro Morata was also on the score-sheet as he capped off a hard working display. As a result, Madrid ran out 3-0 winners.
#1 Madrid’s class helps them glide past Leganes
To a certain extent, Madrid was expected to win. Leganes, also knows as the Cucumber growers, were supposed to turn up and roll over. And fortunately for Madrid, the script didn’t change. Leganes were organised and were in the game until the 21st minute when Madrid created their first clear-cut opportunity.
Instead, that opportunity made Madrid alert about the possible weaknesses in the opposition defence. And it was only a matter of time when Isco picked out Bale’s unmarked run in the centre, who was on hand to score the opener for Madrid. Los Blancos finished the second half on the ascendancy with Bale doubling the advantage after poor marking led to a header across the goal, being bundled over by the Welshman.
What if: Gareth Bale never left Tottenham Hotspur
Up till then, Madrid had not exactly created an opportunity or even had a shot in anger. Ronaldo’s main contribution till then was an unnecessary booking after he failed to control his words. And Leganes showed their defensive discipline by going toe to toe with the Madrid players.
#2 Leganes disciplined display should hold them in good stead
Sitting deep and keeping it tight must have been the instructions of the Leganes manager, Asier Garitano. However, even the manager must be aware of his tactical limitations especially when the opposing side has a higher level of talent available at every possible position.
Leganes gave a good account of themselves. In spite of their side being limited, they worked hard throughout the game. They could have had a goal if it weren’t for the heroics of Keylor Navas. In the second half, they even took the game to Madrid with Bustinza going on a rampaging run after producing a wonderful turn.
Another chance fell to Szymanowski, who did well to fend off Daniel Carvajal, before being denied by an excellent save from the Madrid keeper. Leganes did well to stifle a side which has already scored 50 times in their last 16 games this season. And on purely defensive stats, Leganes will be happy to have restricted their famed opposition to a total of only seven shots on target.
#3 Bale display overshadows Ronaldo’s shortcomings
One of the features of the game was the anticipation from the crowd whenever Gareth Bale had the ball at his feet. In recent weeks, the Welshman has come up in leaps and bounds. After signing a new contract, which makes him the highest paid player at Madrid, Bale has seemed to find a new wind in his sails.
And over here, the Wales international had the opportunity to even get a hat-trick. Ronaldo, on the other hand, gave a disgruntled appearance as he snatched at the clearest opportunity in the first half. During the game, one revealing stat was that how Ronaldo had scored against 31 different La Liga teams and how scoring against Leganes would make them the 32nd team.
That was not to be, as the Portuguese delivered a performance which can best be described as “forgettable”. Instead, the only incident of note was the tirade of words which the Portuguese directed towards the referee which resulted in a booking for the player.
#4 Leganes’ forwards fail to test Madrid defence
It was only late into the game that Leganes actually started having a go at the Madrid defence. And to a certain extent, they must have lamented the fact that they took the initiative to attack the Madrid team so late in the game.
Madrid were vulnerable in defence and escaped with their third clean sheet this season, frankly due to the efforts of their keeper, Keylor Navas. For the most part of the game, Leganes, it seemed, were playing within themselves which limited their attacking threat. However, with the third goal being scored by Morata, suddenly the hand brakes were off and Leganes embraced their adventurous side as they did some energetic running in the last 15 minutes of the game.
Alexander Szymanowski was Leganes' biggest threat and should have scored if not for Navas’s heroics in goal. Leganes fans though made all the noise and were delighted with the way their team troubled their more illustrious opponents.
Leganes welcome Osasuna after the international break and with 10 points from 11 games, and the Cucumber growers will hope to recover their winning touch if they are to remain in the La Liga.
#5 Madrid on top going into the international break
In the opening weeks of the season, various Madrid players such as Modric and Morata had emphasised on the importance of Madrid winning the league this season.
Under Zidane’s tutelage, Madrid won the Champions League last season and this season, the Frenchman has seen his side more focused in the league. Zidane will be pleased with his side’s haul of 27 points from their first 11 games. Also, more pleasing will be the fact is that Madrid continued their unbeaten run this season as they chalked up another clean sheet on Sunday.
And although it was not a vintage display by the Los Blancos, Zidane will gladly accept the three points after a chaotic midweek 3-3 draw at Legia Warsaw in the Champions League.
Zidane’s side also travel to play the Club World Cup this season and the Frenchman knows a lead even if it is by the smallest margins is sure to ease the pressure once the club returns from those commitments. Instead, going into the international break with a lead is sure to boost the morale of the players.
