Isco Saves the Day For Real Madrid With a Stunning Performance, Beat Sporting Gijon 3-2
By Ben Sundock
Second Half
The second half began quickly as Sporting took the possession out of the gates. Nacho had a quick shot off a free kick on a header for Real Madrid that was saved right in front of goal.
A quick counter attack and a good run from the assist man from the first goal, Mikel Vesga, off of a free kick set up, headed home a looping ball beating the Real keeper who could not reach the ball.
Real Madrid again answered the Sporting goal quickly with a goal of their own, as just nine minutes after relegation endangered Gijón had taken the lead, a spot on cross from Danilo to super sub striker Alvaro Morata who beat keeper Ivan Cuéller to tie the game back up.
In the 64th minute, a good link up play between Morata and Lucas Vasquez saw Morata put the ball in the net, however, the Spanish striker was called offside after initially taking a shot that was saved by Cuéller, then headed off the bar by Vasquez, and then put into the net by Morata.
The call drew Morata to complain and it was close to seeing him receive a yellow.
It was clear in the substituting that Zidane was trying to go more attacking, bringing off Fabio Coentrao, and bringing on Marcelo. He also brought Mariano on for Lucas Vasquez in the 71st minute, but was careful to leave on his three attacking midfielders, James, Marco Asensio, and Isco.
Mariano and Morata were lurking in the middle of the box, or waiting on the edge of the area to jump in on a cross and head the ball on goal. Both players had their chances but were unable to finish any of the chances.
Morata was again frustrated after missing a chance in the 89th minute, drawing a yellow card.
Despite Casemiro coming on for Kovacic, Real stayed on the attack, keeping all the possession, never allowing Sporting anywhere near their net.
In the 90th minute, another stroke of pure brilliance from Isco was enough to get Real Madrid the goal and the win as the crafty midfielder dribbled around slow defenders to put the shot in the bottom corner of the net.
The goal was late enough to see Los Blancos snatch away the 3 points from Gijón after the relegation side might have deserved the draw, earning two goals against the legue leaders.
The win is of course a huge one for Real Madrid as they keep up their lead atop La Liga, putting pressure back on FC Barcelona to win every game.