The Real Champs
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Real Madrid: Three takeaways from the Copa del Rey quarterfinal first-leg

By Ben Sundock

SANTIAGO BERNABéU, MADRID, SPAIN - 2019/01/25: Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid) seen celebrating after scoring a goal during the Copa del Rey Round of quarter-final first leg match between Real Madrid CF and Girona FC at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid, Spain.( Final score Real Madrid CF 4:2 Girona FC ). (Photo by Manu Reino/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
SANTIAGO BERNABéU, MADRID, SPAIN - 2019/01/25: Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid) seen celebrating after scoring a goal during the Copa del Rey Round of quarter-final first leg match between Real Madrid CF and Girona FC at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid, Spain.( Final score Real Madrid CF 4:2 Girona FC ). (Photo by Manu Reino/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images) /
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MADRID, SPAIN – JANUARY 24: Toni Kroos of Real Madrid competes in action during the Copa del Rey Quarter Final first leg match between Real Madrid and Girona FC at Bernabeu on January 24, 2019 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN – JANUARY 24: Toni Kroos of Real Madrid competes in action during the Copa del Rey Quarter Final first leg match between Real Madrid and Girona FC at Bernabeu on January 24, 2019 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Quality Sport Images/Getty Images) /

The injured midfielders return

Both Toni Kroos and Marcos Llorente returned to match action for the first time in quite awhile. Kroos has been sidelined since the embarrassing loss to Real Sociedad at the beginning of the month and Llorente has been out since the FIFA Club World Cup final.

Both players were substituted on in the second half and played alright for the most part.

Llorente gave away the penalty for the second Girona goal on an unnecessary handball. Besides the mistake, the young defensive midfielder looked to be nearly back to full form.

Kroos was on the pitch for a little less than half an hour and was passing the ball around the pitch with ease. It was great to see the two back on the field and it is a great help to the depth of the squad moving forward.

With the Champions League knockout stage right around the corner and Gareth Bale and Marco Asensio still on the mend, Kroos and Llorente will play a big role in the club’s important matches.

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