In the midst of a huge clash with Bayern Munich in the Champions League semifinals, Real Madrid rested a number of its regular starters for a home match against Leganes, mired in 16th place in LaLiga. The result was an uninspiring 2-1 win for Los Blancos on Saturday at the Bernabeu, one in which the visitors easily could’ve nipped a draw. The Gareth Bale goal vs Leganes was a perfect microcosm of the match for Real Madrid.
There was no Cristiano Ronaldo, no Luka Modric, no Keylor Navas, no Toni Kroos and no Isco or Marco Asensio in the starting lineup. Instead Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale, often the forgotten men at Madrid, started up front. It took less than 10 minutes for the two to combine for the opening goal — but it wasn’t exactly pretty.
Gareth Bale, back in the starting lineup, wastes no time in proving his worth for Real Madrid (:@ESbeINSPORTS)pic.twitter.com/EB5YZ4bkR1
— Planet Fútbol (@si_soccer) April 28, 2018
Benzema did alright to create a little space to get a shot in, but it was still blocked. Fortunately, Bale was there to pounce on the deflection and contort his body in the weirdest way imaginable to somehow get the ball past Leganes keeper Iván Cuéllar.
It wasn’t quite a bicycle kick nor was it really a sideways scissor kick. It was just an awkward kick that may have been offside. It perfectly summed up Madrid’s performance.
Borja Mayoral scored a second for Los Blancos right before halftime, taking advantage of some confusion that resulted in the right call being made regarding offside.
Confusión en el gol, el árbitro central difiere con el de linea pero al final es gol de @Mayoral_Borja - #RealMadridLeganés pic.twitter.com/M1eWoMRYY5
— beIN SPORTS Español (@ESbeINSPORTS) April 28, 2018
Darko Brasanac pulled one back for the visitors in the 66th minute.
¡GOOOL! Descuenta el @CDLeganes via Darko Brasanac al 66', se descuida la defensa del @realmadrid - #RealMadridLeganés pic.twitter.com/ZwXRKZOnxp
— beIN SPORTS Español (@ESbeINSPORTS) April 28, 2018
Leganes had a couple chances to equalize but came up short in the end. The referee even sent off Gabriel for dissent after the full-time whistle blew in the middle of a Leganes opportunity.
But Zinedine Zidane played just enough strength to get three points ahead of the return leg against Bayern Munich on Tuesday, mostly thanks to the Bale goal vs Leganes.
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