MADRID: Real Madrid’s poor season continued as they were held to a 1-1 draw away to Leganes on Monday.
Madrid delivered another thoroughly underwhelming performance at Butarque to remain 13 points adrift of Barcelona, with Zinedine Zidane’s second reign as coach now delivering three wins, one defeat and a draw.
Leganes might even have won it after Jonathan Silva gave them the lead shortly before half-time and while Benzema scored his 26th goal of the season, Madrid never looked like finding a winner
The club from the south of Madrid produced a brave display and the point was well-deserved against a Real Madrid side that once again failed to impress.
Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane had commented on Sunday that there would be changes in the first team squad and Monday’s game again gave some hints as to who could be on the way out with Gareth Bale on the substitutes’ bench, while Fede Valverde was given a chance in midfield ahead of Dani Ceballos.
“It looks like we do not have much confidence. We have to give a little bit more.” Zidane said.
Zidane was asked last month about the humiliation of playing on a Monday night, the time typically reserved for La Liga’s sides not involved in European competitions and so unpopular that it will be abolished next season. It meant as Barcelona were preparing to face Manchester United in the Champions League quarter-finals on Tuesday, Real Madrid stepped out looking to salvage only pride and, perhaps, momentum ahead of what most expect to be a busy summer. Most of Zidane’s press conferences have so far been dominated by questions about his players’ futures and on this evidence, few will be feeling secure. Benzema has been, by a distance, Madrid’s most consistent player this season and he showed again why Zidane has already said the striker will stay
Meanwhile Isco and Marcos Asensio were in the Madrid line up, where Karim Benzema once again led the attack.
The first half saw Madrid again lack fluidity in their play against a Leganes side whose defense was once again well marshalled by the combative Unai Bustinza.
Leganes took the lead on the stroke of halftime when Jonathan Silva latched onto a loose ball on the edge of the Madrid area to beat Keylor Navas with an unstoppable curling shot into the corner of the net.
Benzema’s 18th league goal of the season drew Madrid level six minutes into the second half as the striker saw his first shot saved by ‘Pichu’ Cuellar, but was able to latch onto the rebound and score from a tight angle.
The goal means that Benzema has now netted Real Madrid’s last five goals, which not only highlights his excellent campaign, but also how those around him have disappointed.
Leganes had a goal correctly ruled out for offside eight minutes from time as Youssef En-Nesyri got the ball past Navas only for the linesman’s flag to deny him, while at the other end Cuellar produced a good save from Marcelo, who had been teed up by Benzema’s backheel.
Gareth Bale, meanwhile, was left on the bench for the second time in three matches, with his prospects looking ever-more bleak.
Bale played the last 10 minutes, but did nothing to suggest he is going to change Zidane’s opinion between now and the end of the season. (Agencies)
