While watching the Madrid game against Huesca yesterday, I was wondering if anyone will have "the balls" to bet on Real Madrid currently, knowing that they have nothing to play for, and Zidane will be test running the team ahead of next season. Recent months have seen the European champions form crash like bitcoin. After they won their third consecutive champions league trophy, Madrid has never remained the same. Also, the resignation of Zidane and the departure of their talisman Christiano Ronaldo to Juventus went a long way to destabilize the squad.

Under Lopetegui's watch, the Los Blancos almost got destined for relegation, and with Florentine Perez coming under serious criticism by Madrid Supporters for allowing Ronaldo to leave the club, Lopetegui got fired. However, his 5-1 loss to a Messi-less Barcelona squad fastracked the termination of his job. With Madrid at the total verge of not qualifying for next season's champions league, Santiago Solari was appointed a caretaker manager to oversea the team.

Solari's early days as Los Blancos interim coach was an amazing one and that which earned ovation from all quarters. Many thought he was going to be the man that will navigate the ship of Madrid from the tempest. It was going well for the Argentine, and he later got a contract as Madrid's coach. But it seems that was the beginning of his real test. Sure, during Solari's time, young players like Vinicius Jr rose above the ranks and became favorite starters. The Argentine coach was trying to build a new team that will last through the future. Maybe he was quick to forget that Los Blancos is not the kind of team were long patience is a virtue for the fans.

With time, the pressure came down heavily and it just didn't go as planned for Santiago Solari. With Madrid sure of not contending for the league title anymore, getting eliminated by Ajax in the Champions league and also sent packing by from the Copa del rey semifinals by their Arch rivals Barcelona, it was time for Santiago's contract to be terminated. That heralded the return of Zidane who seemed to have been convinced by Perez. Both Zidane and Perez have always had a cordial relationship and both have something in common, which is "their unending love for Madrid." Now he is back, trying to fix the cracks on the wall and it seems the team is on the mend.

Yesterday's game against Huesca at the Santiago Bernabeu was Zidane's second game since he returned to the club, and of course, he always has his way despite the resilience of their visitors. It took the French forward Karem Benzema an 89th minute goal to make sure the European champions secured all the three points. Benzema for me has remained one of the most consistent players in Madrid since their times of trouble. He has survived the tempest all through Lopetegui and Solari, and has always find away to remain relevant even when players like Gareth Bale are seen as surplus due to injury woes.

That goal was his 141st for Madrid in Laliga, and scoring against Huesca at the Santiago Bernabeu yesterday also meant that he is the only player that has scored against all the 34 laliga teams he has played against. Not even Messi or Christiano Ronaldo has been able to attain that feat. No wonder he survived the tempests. A standing ovation for Benzema, even though Madrid fans have always expected so much from him over the years. Messi has scored again 37 of 40 teams, failing to net against Cadiz, Murcia and Huesca, while Ronaldo netted against 32 of 33, with only Leganes keeping him out. It's a historic feat and is worthy of commendation. Though the Visitors postured like they were gonna shock Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu by drawing the first blood, thanks to Cucho Hernandez's early goal. It was Huesca's second fastest goal in Laliga(133 seconds), however, isco equalised before the half time break. Ceballos will later put the host in front before Huesca's captain made it 2-2. But thanks to an experienced Benzema whose late strike ensured that Zidane's second match after return lost not points. With Madrid now 12 points behind Barcelona, Zidane certainly knows he is merely preparing his squad ahead of next season, as he continues to heal the would of the team he left in the hands of Lopetegui and Solari.