Actual Madrid are nearly into the semi-finals of this season’s Copa del Rey following Wednesday night time’s dramatic 3-2 quarter-final victory over Leganes.
Leganes are struggling simply above La Liga’s relegation zone however made a recreation of the tie after it initially appeared as if it will be a procession for Carlo Ancelotti’s Madrid, who gave up a cushty 2-0 lead on this competitors for the second spherical in a row.
Substitute Gonzalo Garcia spared Madrid blushes within the third minute of stoppage time, in addition to eliminating the necessity for any extra-time, with a close-range end on the dying.
How the sport unfolded
Luka Modric fired the European champions into an 18th minute lead, getting ahead from his typical function to satisfy Rodrygo’s measured move into the field. The 39-year-old ran onto the ball completely and was capable of poke the end past the attain of residence goalkeeper Juan Soriano.
Endrick adopted that up with a second for Madrid a couple of moments later, 21 years remarkably separating the goalscorers in age. Rodrygo was once more the creator from the left flank, nevertheless it took a couple of extra quick passes on the sting of the field, earlier than the ball really feel to Endrick for a easy end.
However Leganes managed to drive their means again when Jacobo Ramon’s rawness confirmed on his first senior begin. The younger defender slid in to attempt to block Juan Cruz’s tried low cross. He managed to cease the ball, however solely together with his outstretched hand.
Cruz stepped as much as convert the resultant spot-kick, earlier than the identical participant then fired Leganes degree on the hour mark. Cruz’s trade of a number of passes with Darko Brasanac moved the ball too simply via Madrid’s static defence, and the deflected end was sufficient to wrongfoot Andriy Lunin.
Off the bench to assist salvage the tie, Vinicius Junior struck the put up for Madrid, earlier than what felt like a private mission to pull his group via. The winger dazzled, first placing the ball on a plate within the field for no teammate to capitalise, earlier than establishing Brahim Diaz to strike the bar.
Leganes had a few of their very own possibilities to go forward, notably forcing Lunin into an enormous late save, which proved much more essential when Garcia made himself the hero with a header from Brahim’s cross.
Try the participant rankings from Leganes vs Actual Madrid right here.
Gonzalo Garcia has been prolific for Actual Madrid Castilla this season, however the 20-year-old Madridista whole first-team expertise previous to Wednesday night time’s late cameo prolonged to 17 minutes throughout two La Liga substitute appearances 14 months in the past.
Garcia has been on the bench a handful of instances this season however was but to get on the pitch, till Ancelotti turned to him with eight minutes and stoppage time remaining.
Confidence would have been flowing anyway on condition that he bagged 4 in a Castilla recreation simply final week, however a successful purpose for the senior facet in that method…he’ll be firmly on cloud 9.
The Copa del Rey is not more than Madrid’s third greatest precedence this season, nevertheless it nonetheless represents main silverware – significantly after being humiliated by Barcelona within the current Supercopa de Espana.
Madrid have tended to underachieve on this competitors, making just one ultimate – which they gained in 2023, over the past ten years. Over the identical interval, Barcelona have performed in six finals and lifted the trophy 5 instances.
Going all the best way within the Champions League goes to be powerful given simply how paper skinny the line of defense is. Madrid sit prime of La Liga as it’s, however a scarcity of depth within the run-in might additionally chunk them there too. The Copa del Rey could possibly be their finest likelihood to keep away from a trophy-less (excluding final summer season’s UEFA Tremendous Cup) season.
RFEF will make the draw for the semi-finals on 12 February, with Atletico Madrid the one different facet to have made it via to this point. Actual Sociedad’s conflict with Osasuna, and Barcelona’s journey to Valencia are the remaining quarter-finals that might be performed on Thursday night time.
Antonio Rudiger has been the fixed in Madrid’s ever-changing backline this season. However the German centre-back was compelled off simply quarter-hour into Sunday’s irritating defeat by the hands of Espanyol. It signifies that a whole again 4 of prime calibre defenders is now sidelined, with Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao and David Alaba additionally lacking – two of them for the remainder of the season.
Rudiger might not return till the latter levels of February. It offers Ancelotti an issue as a result of the dearth of a defensive chief can’t not have been a think about conceding twice as they did.
Aurelien Tchouameni lined up in midfield from the beginning right here, however the Frenchman has tended to be the emergency stand-in in coronary heart of defence. Even when that is still the case within the coming few video games, considered one of Raul Asencio or Jacobo Ramon, who gave away a penalty right here, must begin alongside him. The choice is that the inexperienced kids play collectively, as they did towards Leganes.
What should Jesus Vallejo be considering? He’s within the squad this season to make up the numbers, however nonetheless can’t get a recreation in a real centre-back disaster.
One other Copa tie, one other goalscoring efficiency from Endrick.
The preliminary hype across the teenage Brazilian has died down on account of being largely saved again in La Liga and the Champions League. It has remained sporadic substitute minutes in these competitions, nevertheless it’s been three significant appearances and counting within the Copa del Rey.
Endurance is a advantage and the 18-year-old has doubtlessly effectively over a decade {of professional} soccer nonetheless forward of him. Vinicius Junior wasn’t a smash hit right away, so Endrick doesn’t must do every little thing and have it unexpectedly. In the meanwhile, that is really high-quality.