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Real Madrid hosted Leganes at Santiago Bernabeu for the second leg of their Copa del Rey quarter-finals tie. The match as a whole was very much a stale affair.
The first half saw Real Madrid create a few openings. They were the more dominant side, yet they never got into full flow. The chances they created were either saved heroically by Champagne or were off target. However, a mistake from youngster Achraf saw Eraso score for Leganes.
The second half saw Real Madrid starting with an intent. They were soon rewarded as Benzema finished from a tight angle. However, Real Madrid's joy was short-lived. Gabriel Pires headed the ball into the top corner to bring Leganes equal on the aggregate basis with an away goal advantage.
Thereon, Real Madrid huffed and puffed to force their way back into the game but unfortunately for them, Leganes' defense could not be breached.
Real Madrid
Kiko Casilla - 6.5/10
He had one of the busier days of his career between the posts. Leganes were threatening and they did break his resolve twice, with two sweetly struck strikes into the top corners. He could have done little about the goals after having undone by his defense.
Achraf Hakimi - 4/10
One of many Madrid players who could not perform to their full potential. He struggled in defense as Amrabat looked quite threatening on his side of the pitch. He did not contribute much to attack too apart from a few decent runs. His poor pass led to Eraso's goal.
Nacho Fernandez - 5/10
This was a poor game by the Spaniard. He made important tackles and interceptions but also showed signs of rustiness, especially in the first half. He was caught ball watching as Hakimi's pass was intercepted right in front of him.
Sergio Ramos - 6/10
Ramos had a decent game as he dominated and won everything that came his way in the air. He won headers, made blocks, and clearances while being a calm head in the heart of the Real Madrid's defence.
Theo Hernandez - 6.5/10
He did fairly well against El Zahr and defended well in general and was probably the best Madrid defender of the night. Offensively, he provided some amazing crosses which on any other day might have been turned into goals.
Marcos Llorente - 6.5/10
The Brazillian gave a good defensive display in the middle of the park as he won everything coming his way. He broke up plays and initiated attacks. However, he allowed himself to be physically outmuscled by Gabriel Pires for Leganes' second goal.
Isco - 6.5/10
Ever since last season, Isco has been one of Real Madrid's engine. Today was no different. He sprayed passes throughout the pitch and delivered tempting set pieces. However, it was just not enough to unlock Leganes' defense.
Mateo Kovacic - 5.5/10
Kovacic looked sharp in possession and enjoyed the ball at his feet. However, he just could not deliver the final ball quite as well as Madrid fans have been accustomed to. The X-factor was missing from his game and it did show in the final result.
Asensio - 5/10
This was again a game to forget for Asensio, who has often been touted as one of the best talents in world football. He struggled to cause too many problems and his final passes were poor. He failed to provide any end product as Zidane's side struggled to score.
Karim Benzema - 6/10
The Frenchman was the sole star in the lackluster Real Madrid attack. He often dropped deep to help his midfield and combined well with his teams mates. His finish for the goal was exquisite. However, he missed a very good opportunity late in the game as his shot was saved.
Lucas Vazquez - 5/10
Vazquez could not win the match for Real Madrid and his performance was not quite up to the standards he has set for himself. He missed a lot of opportunities to set up his teammates, and generally, his final deliveries were quite over-hit.
Substitutes
Dani Carvajal - 6/10
He was introduced in place of Kroos but he, for all his efforts, could not change the game in Madrid's favor.
Luka Modric - 7/10
Just like his substitute partner Carvajal, Modric's introduction could not sway the game in favor of Real Madrid. He rushed his passes towards the end of the game.
Borja Mayoral - 5.5/10
Brought on for Isco, his introduction meant Real were willing to go route-one, i.e, crosses into the box. He met a few of them well but just could not direct them goalwards.
Leganes
Nereo Champagne: 7/10
Champagne was a solid presence at the back. He was called into action quite often and did well on all occasions. He made excellent stops throughout the match to keep his team in the game.
Tito: 7/10
The full-back had a pretty solid game for his team. He did not allow anyone on his inside, neither did he allow Theo to flourish on the overlap. Attacking, he did not venture up much, but who can demand more after such a solid showing at the back.
Unai Bustinza: 8/10
The center-back, like his defensive partners, was always alert to the dangers Real players posed to his goal and was ever-ready to deal with them. He never gave an inch of space to anyone in and around the penalty box.
Dimitrios Siovas: 8/10
Siovas put in a good performance as he was constantly in the way of Benzema and company, keeping them at bay for the majority of the game. He made a string of important interceptions and tackles to keep Leganes in the game.
Diego Rico: 6.5/10
Rico defended his team's left flank quite diligently. He was tentative and always ready to go into a tackle. However, he quite often overwhelmed by the overlapping Vazquez and Carvajal combo later in the game.
Nabil El Zahr: 5.5/10
Playing as a right-winger on the night, his attacking input during his time on the pitch was next to nothing. However, he more than made up for it by tracking back and covering the runs of Lucas Digne.
Darko Brasanac: 7/10
The nimble-footed midfielder had a quite different role to play tonight. He was asked to play inside his own half without seeing much of the ball. He did that very well while also using his ability to turn defense into attack quickly.
Gabriel Pires: 8/10
The defensive midfielder was quite combative in the middle of the park. He screened his defense well and never did shy away from a tackle despite an apparent gulf in quality. He scored Leganes' second of the night to send them into the next round.
Javier Eraso: 6.5/10
Javier put in a great performance in the middle of the park. He tracked back to defend when not in possession and then went ahead to support his teammates with equal enthusiasm. His strike for Leganes' first of the night was amazingly stuck and was quite unstoppable.
Nordin Amrabat: 6/10
The wide midfielder did not contribute much to his team's attacking fortunes. However, just like his counterpart on the other side of the pitch, his hard work in defense was absolutely crucial.
Claudio Beauvue: 5.5/10
He was unable to unleash any troubling shots on goal to continue his goal-scoring form. He tried to link midfield and attack a couple of times but nothing that inventive came off.
Substitutes:
Martin Mantovani: 8/10
Brought on for Siovas, he had quite big boots to fill after the kind of performance that was put by the center-back. To his credit, he did exactly what was expected of him.
Raul Garcia: 5.5/10
He was brought on for Nordin Amrabat with about twenty minutes left to play. He did contribute much to attack. However, he tracked back often and helped out his defense.
Naranjo: N/A
Late substitution, could not affect the game.
