Real Madrid: Record breaking Sergio Ramos and brilliant Vinicius Júnior thrash Leganés
By Ben Sundock
Real Madrid managed to get back to winning ways on Wednesday night in the Copa del Rey round of 16 first leg against Leganés. Thanks to a record-breaking night from captain Sergio Ramos and football genius from Vinicius Júnior, Los Blancos take a sizeable lead into the second leg.
From the opening whistle to the last, it was clear that the Real Madrid players on the pitch in front of the sparsely populated Santiago Bernabéu crowd were determined to redeem themselves after a woeful 2-0 defeat against Real Sociedad over the weekend.
Controlling possession and pouring shots on goalkeeper Iván Cuéllar, it looked like a completely different team on the pitch, and it actually was. Manager Santiago Solari had to juggle his lineup with so many players out hurt or needing rest after the match just a few days ago.
With a lot of youth in the lineup, for the first time in several weeks, Real looked determined, dominant, and emphatic in every movement.
The goals of the match came from Sergio Ramos just a minute before halftime as he converted from the penalty spot, Lucas Vazquez early in the second half banged home a picture-perfect cross from Vinicius, and then the young Brazilian scored a brilliant volley goal to close out the match 3-0.
Here are some of the biggest talking points from the match that I feel need to be addressed:
Keylor Navas once again proves his worth
The Costa Rican has been relegated to the bench for seemingly forever now, but made his return to the starting lineup with Thibaut Courtois sidelined with a minor injury.
The reliable net-minder made some big saves in this match and finished with three on the day. Leganés were swirling around Navas’ net in the first 20 minutes or so, and had it not been for a couple of big plays from Keylor, the match could’ve been totally different.
The Costa Rican will start again this weekend with Courtois expected out for another week or so.
Vinicius Júnior is heating up
Don’t look now, but one of the hottest prospects out of Brazil is starting to show why he was purchased for nearly €50 million.
Having now played in 13 matches for 521 minutes, Vinicius has nine goal contributions (two goals and seven assists). That means the teenager is directly involved in a goal every 58 minutes!
Vinicius Junior vs Leganes
— The Real Champs (@TheRealChampsFS) January 10, 2019
78 minutes
1 goal
1 assist
40 passes
81% pass accuracy
3 key passes
6 dribbles won
For a team that has struggled to find the back of the net all season, this play cannot go unnoticed. Solari has given Vinicius the nod two matches in a row with Marco Asensio still out injured and Isco not entrusted with running the attack as he did under Zinedine Zidane.
So, expect to see more of the number 28 in the coming weeks. He is just starting to heat up.
Sergio Ramos scores his 100th career goal
He may be a center back, but Sergio Ramos can play as a striker when his team needs him. After the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo, the defender has been tasked with taking the penalty kicks for Los Blancos.
In the 44th minute against Leganés, Ramos easily bagged a goal that changed the complexion of the match. It was his 100th goal in his career – his 80th with Real Madrid.
What a captain!
Next. Thibaut Courtois added to long list of Real Madrid injuries. dark