Real Madrid eased to a 4-1 win over Real Sociedad on Saturday to move two points ahead of Barcelona in the La Liga title race for the time being. The Blaugrana aren't in action until Monday when they travel to Girona.
Alvaro Arbeloa's men knew they needed to take advantage of the situation and put pressure on Hansi Flick's men following their disastrous 4-0 Copa del Rey loss to Atletico Madrid. They did just that courtesy of goals from Gonzalo Garcia (5'), Vinicius Junior (25 P', 48 P') and Federico Valverde (31').
Madrid would have kept a clean sheet if not for Mikel Oyarzabal's equalizer from the penalty spot (21'). That came when Dean Huijsen made a reckless challenge in the box to only further add to his struggles during his debut season at the Bernabeu.
Real Madrid 4-1 Real Sociedad: Huijsen needs to be dropped
Huijsen has endured a dissapointing spell thus far and came into last night's game with doubts growing over his place in Arbeloa's team. The Spaniard was told by a former La Liga manager that he hasn't shown he is of Los Blancos standard.
The 20-year-old did nothing to dispell that notion with a display that has only further fuelled talk of him being dropped. He failed when attempting two tackles, was dribbled past on one occasion and won two of four ground duels.
With Antonio Rudiger set to return from injury it feels almost guaranteed that the former Bournemouth man will lose his spot in the defense. That could start against Benfica in the Champions League playoffs on Tuesday (February 17th).
FotMob described the penalty that Huijsen gave away as 'clumsiness' and its just another of a growing list of errors he's made this season. He has failed to replicate his stunning form shown back in the Premier League in recent years.
Arbeloa's praise of Huijsen isn't fooling anyone
Arbeloa has stood by his players in the good and the bad. He has defended them against scrutiny and he opted to do so when asked about Huijsen's performance last night.
Madrid's caretaker manager told the media after the game (via Madrid Universal):
"Dean Huijsen must be happy with his game. He is a great player, he is doing well."
Arbeloa is right to protect the youngster who has needed time to adapt to La Liga football. But it is a statement that just isn't true given his poor performances since arriving at the Bernabeu.
Huijsen will benefit from a spell out of the starting lineup especially because he has played through the pain barrier in past months. He has enormous potential but the pressure of representing Los Merengues might just be holding him back in the early stages of his spell with the club.