Real Madrid won 2-0 against Espanyol in a very good week for Zidane’s players after winning in the Last 16 round in Champions League against Napoli in another great comeback. The French manager did many changes in the line up introducing Kiko Casilla between the sticks instead Keylor, Pepe in the defense who didn’t play in the regular season since December, Nacho in the left back, Kovacic in the midfield and Morata instead Benzema. We can highlight Bale’s return after being 88 days out of the fields and Zinedine Zidane gave him almost 20 minutes.
Los Blancos started the match controlling the ball and trying to have the possession because Espanyol were playing very defensive and there was no space. In the first 20 minutes Real Madrid didn’t have any chance and the only player who was involved in the attack was Lucas Vázquez. Morata had the first clear opportunity from a good pass of Cristiano Ronaldo in the 30th minute but Duarte prevented the first goal for Los Blancos. Only five minutes later Morata opened the scoreboard with a wonderful header from a great cross of Isco. Real Madrid went to the dressing room with one goal lead after a very tactical first half where there were almost no chances.
The second half started similar as the first one, with Real Madrid attacking with the goal of scoring the second one and Espanyol defending in their box looking for a counterattack. Zinedine Zidane decided to introduce Casemiro, after his great performance against Napoli, in the 60th minute replacing Kovacic in the midfield. In the 70th minute Gareth Bale entered the pitch replacing Morata who played a very good game scoring the first goal of the match. The Welshman played in the left side and Cristiano was the “new”striker of the team. Nacho had to leave the field in the last 10 minutes because of muscular problems and Marcelo replaced him in the left back. In the first ball Gareth Bale received, the Welshman scored the second goal of the match in a very fast counterattack with another good assist of Isco.
Los Blancos could achieve another victory in the regular season in a very calm match for the team managed by Zidane, where they played a very complete game against a team that did not create danger. Now Real Madrid must think in their next match that will be at Mestella next Wednesday.
