La Liga 2016/17: Sporting Gijon 2-3 Real Madrid: 5 Talking Points

#3 Duje Cop’s redemption was a hollow one

Duje Cop troubled Sergio Ramos on occasion

Gijon deserved much more from the game than a heartbreaking loss – they were well worth their leads both times. This was not a minnow stealing a goal and sitting back; Gijon came to play. Duje Cop was the epitome of a side unaware of the gulf between both teams – the Croat was full of running throughout.

In the reverse fixture earlier this season, Cop blazed a penalty over that would have drawn his side level with 15 minutes to play. He seemed determined to make things right, and did it in the 14^th minute – with a clever darting run to beat the offside trap and then produce an ingenious prod past Kiko Casilla to give Sporting the lead.

Sporting Gijon have scored their 1st home goal against Real Madrid in 9 La Liga games since Velasco scored in a 1-0 win in October 1994

— Sky Sports Statto (@SkySportsStatto) April 15, 2017

However, as has been the story of Sporting Gijon’s season, Cop grew silent as the game went on. Sporting have been unable to find the killer instinct needed in La Liga to survive – the minnows have looked pleasing on the eye many a time this season, only to fall at the final hurdle. With a 5 point gap to Leganes in 17^th, it seems all but certain that Gijon will be relegated this season.