Real Madrid withdrew 10 players from the starting lineup, still won in La Liga
The Bernabeu home team won 2-1 against Leganes in round 35 of La Liga with a reserve squad.
Goals: Bale 8', Borja Mayoral 45' - Darko Brasanac 66'
Compared to the win over Bayern in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final, Real withdrew 10 players from the starting lineup. The only one remaining was Casemiro, the defensive midfielder who was pushed to play as a central defender with Jesus Vallejo.
In fact, the lack of players in high form does not affect Real's chances of winning too much. Playing against Leganes, classy players like Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema are smart enough to bring victory. In the eighth minute, from Benzema's deflected shot, Bale was in time to volley to open the score for the home team.
Bale opened the scoring for Real with a volley that "threaded the needle" past goalkeeper Cuellar. Photo:Reuters |
Leganes also organized a number of sharp attacks, but all were unsuccessful. In the first half, the ball hit Real's crossbar once and grazed the goal twice.
Unable to find an equalizer, Leganes had to pay the price when Real regained control of the ball. In the 45th minute, from an indirect free kick from 35 meters, Borja Mayoral tapped the ball into the goal to double the gap.
Leganes had to wait until the 66th minute to get the only equalizer. Nordin Amrabet was the one who made the pass from the right wing, and Darko Brasanac accurately tapped the ball from four meters away.
Winning in round 35 of La Liga, Real has achieved 71 points since the beginning of the season. The Bernabeu team is now only one point behind the second-ranked team Atletico. Also in round 35, Atletico will be the away team at Alaves.
Having not yet played the make-up match against Sevilla in round 34, Real have the same number of matches as their city rivals, 34. If they continue to reap more victories, coach Zinedine Zidane's team can completely regain second place.
In round 35, Barca will visit Deportivo on the evening of April 29. If they can get at least one point, the leading team will be crowned La Liga champions for the 25th time.