MADRID (AFP) - Real Madrid took the Monday night (April 15) slot reserved for La Liga's lower teams and never really looked out of place as Karim Benzema's goal was enough only for a 1-1 draw away to Leganes.
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.
Instead, they sit four points behind Atletico Madrid and finishing second, and above their city rivals, appears unlikely. Leganes climb to 11th.
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. Gareth Bale, meanwhile, was left on the bench for the second time in three matches, with his prospects look ever-more bleak.
Chances were few and far between in the first half but Madrid could twice have taken the lead as Marco Asensio scuffed his finish after being put through by Isco and Raphael Varane's shot was blocked after a goalline scramble.
Leganes, though, were otherwise rarely made to feel uncomfortable and shortly before half-time they took the lead. Madrid failed to clear, instead allowing Martin Braithwaite to roll back to Silva, who guided the ball into the corner.
Zidane strode down the tunnel at half-time and his team emerged with greater purpose afterwards, with Benzema finding an equaliser six minutes in.
Casemiro threaded a neat ball through to Luka Modric, who twisted and set free Benzema. His first shot was pushed out by Pichu Cuellar but only back to Beznema, who fired in the rebound.
Silva headed straight at Navas and Youssef En-Nesyri had a goal correctly ruled out for offside late on. Neither side really deserved a winner.
Raheem Sterling blamed "silly mistakes" for England's defeat to Netherlands in the semi-finals of the Nations League. England were beaten 3-1 in Guimaraes despite having taken a first-half lead
Should You Play Hard to Get? Given these results, it appears that some of the behaviors and tactics associated with playing hard to get succeed in making someone more desirable as a date or
How to Play Hard to Get and Why It Works | Psychologia
Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu was naturally disappointed that his side missed out on a winning a fifth Asian Cup title on Friday but believes the improvement of the squad augurs well for the future. The Samurai Blue went into the final as warm favorites to clinch the continental crown but…
Japan coach disappointed but pleased with progress at Asian Cup
Football: Son's late winner gives Tottenham edge over Man City in Champions League quarter-final first leg
Son's late winner gives Tottenham edge over Man City
Neymar "cried for two days" after injuring his right foot for a second time in January, he told Brazilian television according to an excerpt of an interview broadcast.
Neymar 'cried for two days' after new foot injury | Inquirer
A goal by Michail Antonio ensured West Ham United became the first visiting team to win at Tottenham Hotspur's new stadium as Mauricio Pochettino's third-placed side missed the chance to
Spurs beaten for first time in new stadium; Saints stay up
Lippi earns sympathy despite reign ending on gloomy note SHANGHAI • The search is now on for another big name to take on the poisoned chalice that is the Chinese national football coaching position, after a livid Marcello Lippi ended his reign following their humiliating exit at the Asian Cup.
Timon of Athens: This gloomy Greek earns little of our
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola looks on at Etihad Stadium in Manchester January 26, 2019. — Action Images pic via Reuters. LONDON Feb 15 — Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola predicts his side will "suffer" against fourth-tier Newport County in their FA Cup fifth round match tomorrow but has urged his players to adapt to a battered playing surface at Rodney Parade.
Guardiola expects Man City to suffer in tricky trip to Newport
90min Videos Marcus Rashford In The Form Of His Life! English (US) · Español · Português (Brasil) · Français (France) · Deutsch.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer: Marcus Rashford is in the form of his life
thepeoplesperson.com/2019/01/21/ole-gunnar-solskjaer-marcus-rashford-is-in-the-form-of-his-life-205375/
Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was in awe of Marcus Rashford's talent following his match-winning performance vs Brighton. Paul Pogba opened the scoring through a penalty he won but
Marcus Rashford Bio, Age, Height, Career, Personal Life, Net
Leicester welcome Rodgers with win, Newcastle end Burnley run were inspired by the performance of record signing Miguel Almiron to end Burnley's eight-game unbeaten Premier League run with a 2
Football: Leicester welcome Rodgers with win, Newcastle end
Cristiano Ronaldo was fined almost €19 million ($21.6 million) for tax fraud on Tuesday but will avoid serving a 23-month prison sentence. The Juventus forward, who played for Real Madrid from 2009-18, agreed to settle the case by paying an €18.8m fine and accepting a suspended jail sentence.
Soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo fined over $20 million for tax
Solskjaer boosted by Mourinho's work, claims Van Gaal AFP March 26, 2019, 8:12 PM UTC Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's Manchester United success is partly down to Jose Mourinho, says Louis van Gaal
Solskjaer Boosted By Mourinho's Work, Claims Van Gaal
FA Cup: Newcastle get extra-time win, Stoke fall to Shrews in Cup replays - Newcastle United beat Blackburn Rovers 4-2 after extra time while Championship side Stoke City threw away a two-goal lead as they suffered a shock 3-2 home defeat by third-tier Shrewsbury Town in FA Cup third-round replays on Tuesday.
Newcastle get extra-time win, Stoke fall to Shrews in Cup
Tampines Rovers vs Yangon United predictions, football tips and statistics for this match of AFC Cup on 01/05/2019 Tampines Rovers vs Yangon United football predictions, statistics - 01 May 2019 The website uses cookies.
2019 Tampines Rovers FC season - Wikipedia
0 comments:
Post a Comment