Quick recap: Real Madrid earn late 3-2 win against Huesca
By Hasan Karim
In what was perhaps a much more scrappy affair than many expected, Real Madrid snatched a late 3-2 win over relegation fighters, Huesca. Goals from Isco, Dani Ceballos and Karim Benzema sent Zinedine Zidane to a second consecutive win since returning to the club.
With a very much rotated lineup in this game, Real Madrid blended some experience in with fringe players and younger stars against Huesca. Brahim Diaz, Alvaro Odriozola and Luca Zidane joined Sergio Ramos, Karim Benzema, Marcelo and Co. on a Sunday evening game in the Santiago Bernabeu.
Considering the opposition and their stance, Real Madrid still found a way to make things hard for themselves. Huesca found a way through in just 3 minutes following a poor defensive error from Nacho Fernandez, who is enduring a rough season so far. Having gone down one so early, Real began to find their footing in proceedings, particularly enjoying success from out-wide. Despite Benzema coming close on a couple of occasions, Brahim Diaz, who was a shining light in the first half, managed to find Isco in the box who equalised.
The first half performance wasn’t great but it wasn’t terrible either. It seemed as if they were somewhat coasting as they began to circulate the ball and begin to wear down the dogged structure of Huesca, who did not make it easy. Despite the visitors having another good chance, Real largely controlled the remainder of the half.
The defence was a little sloppy on a few occasions, getting caught in possession and having to rely on the excellent Marcos Llorente to bail them out. The midfielder covered a lot of ground as he broke up play, distributed and carried the ball in fantastic fashion. Elsewhere, Brahim Diaz showed some fantastic intent to attack and had some real highlight reel moments which was all rewarded with his assist for Isco. Gareth Bale also put in a good workman like display, covered a lot of ground and linked up with midfield, although, he didn’t generate many chances. The rest of the team were a little drunken like as they gave up sloppy possession a fair few times.
Coming out in the second half, Real began once again to circulate the ball well. Moving the opposition with slow but steady movements as they hunted for an opening. The goal came in 62nd minute as a fantastic Bale cross was knocked down by Karim Benzema who found Dani Ceballos lurking at the far post. The former two had solid performances and Ceballos did well to earn his moment with a strong performance. However, Madrid were not out of the woods.
Despite leading, Huesca continued generating chances and capitalised on more poor defending from Nacho in the 74th minute. Failing to track his man at a corner, Xabier Exteita nodded home for the visitors and they continued hounding Madrid. For the remaining 15 minutes, they made it incredibly uncomfortable for Madrid, who looked starched of ideas.
It wasn’t until the 89th minute that Madrid found a way out. Another move starting with a Bale cross which was knocked down by Ramos to Marcelo who found Karim Benzema. The forward got the ball out from his feet before firing into the far corner to rescue the game for his side, this continued the strong form he has shown all season.
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It was, for the most part, an incredibly rough performance. Porous defending from Nacho almost cost Real the game, however, as typically under Zidane, they roared again and fought until the last moments of the game. The side travel to Valencia on Wednesday in what will be a tricky task for the team, however, since returning, Zidane has inspired them into winning again.