Real Madrid 2 – CD Numancia 2: Quick recap of the Copa Del Rey round of 16 second leg
By Ben Sundock
Real Madrid took a three-goal lead into the home leg of the Copa Del Rey round of 16 and managed to maintain their lead with a 2 – 2 draw against CD Numancia Wednesday. Here is a quick recap of the match.
First half
Real Madrid started out the first half as they usually do with lots of possession and some good chances going forward. With high pressure from the Numancia front line, Jesús Vallejo and Nacho passed the ball well to avoid turning the ball over.
It was thanks to the good passing along the back line that led to a push from right-back Dani Carvajal down the right flank, setting up the opening goal.
It was Lucas Vasquez on the end of the picture-perfect cross from the fullback, putting Real up 4-0 on aggregate just ten minutes in.
Real Madrid controlled the possession for the remainder of the half (61% to 39%) and looked comfortable. However, as we have seen happen several times this season, the defense was caught out of position as Numancia hit back on a well-orchestrated counter-attack which led to the tying goal from Guillermo just a minute before the half.
Madrid's forwards are looking so promising with their touches and movements but are unable to get the final piece of the puzzle to fit
— The Real Champs (@TheRealChampsFS) January 10, 2018
Kovacic came within inches of answering the away goal with a goal of his own as he hit a low driven shot from outside the box which was saved.
Second half
The second half began with an immediate substitution from Zinedine Zidane as he pulled Carvajal and replaced him with young right-back Achraf Hakimi. Real Madrid had one of the strongest starts to the second half I have seen thus far this season as they pushed forward looking for another goal to put the tie to bed.
Dani Ceballos was much more involved in the second half along with Mateo Kovacic and Marco Asensio as the young, pacey midfielders pushed forward with precision and talent. Ceballos showed some great foot skill as he looked to get his first goal this season in the Spanish domestic tournament.
Lucas Vasquez earned himself a brace in the 58th minute with a great assist from Borja Mayoral after Asensio and Mateo Kovacic linked beautifully to torch the Numancia defense.
Vasquez was barely held onside as he side kicked the ball past the away keeper putting his team back in front. After the goal, Isco replaced Asensio and Casemiro replaced Mayoral as the team looked to solidify the midfield.
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Yet again, Numancia broke through the defensive-minded Madrid defense and scored their second goal of the match to make Real Madrid look horrible.
It was a great cross from Saul Garcia to the man who scored the first goal for Numancia, Guillermo, as he redirected the pinpoint cross across goal and past Kiko Casilla.
While the aggregate score looks good, the 180 minutes was not impressive again from Zidane’s men.
If it hadn’t been for a late penalty goal from Isco and another late goal from Borja Mayoral, the second leg would have been much, much scarier. What really bothers me in this match is that Zidane put in two central defensive midfielders in Casemiro and Marcos Llorente.
Yet, Numancia was able to level the match.
Next: The Copa del Rey now looks like Real Madrid’s best chance for silverware
While Real Madrid is now in the quarterfinal, can they advance past this next round if they keep playing at this level? I think it is unlikely.