The atmosphere around the Bernabeu since after Zinedine Zidane's return remained positive. Heading into this match every corner of the Bernabeu faithful have an undying belief of better things to come under the Frenchman and if I am not mistaken, better performances as well. However, the empty seats at the Bernabeu today proved shocking but unsurprising as I was made to reminisce that as early as March, Real Madrid's season was practically over.
One thing was expected since Zidane's return and it was made certain tonight and that is the possibility of the French coach giving every player on the squad a chance to prove their worth before the season is over.
Castilla Goalie Luca Zidane was called up and included in the starting line up. Sergio Ramos was partnered by Nacho Hernandez. Alvaro Odriozola was placed at right back and Marcelo retained his position at Left back.
Dani Ceballos, Marcos Llorente and Isco were brought in after Toni Kroos, Luka Modric and Casemiro were all given rest with the former two not making the match day squad.
In attack, Gareth Bale, and Brahaim Diaz both flanked Karim Benzema.
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With this experimental line up, it was to be expected that Real Madrid would produce an average performance but finishing the match without the three points would be unacceptable.
The combination of fringe players and veterans showed the lack of understanding and positional structure in the team's play and as early as the 3rd minute, Real Madrid has conceded a goal from poor positioning and lack of support from the midfielders.
Although they bounced back with an equalizer through Isco Alarcon and made it 2-1 through Ceballos in the second half.
12 minutes after Ceballos took Real Madrid ahead, the Whites fell asleep in defence and allowed Huesca head in a cross from the right hand side of the pitch. Prior to that equalizer, Real Madrid has several opportunities go begging to be converted but missed them all and would without doubt, be ruing those misses after Huesca's equalizer.
Just while the match was about closing out with a minute to go, Benzema made up for the numerous missed chances when he curved a shot from the right hand side of the eighteen yard box and into the net to make it 3-2.
Huesca huffed and puffed after then, seeking to escape relegation but it was not to be a day they win against Real Madrid. Expect more team selection experiments from Zidane.
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