Bale's pass redeems a poor Real Madrid showing
Gareth Bale took to the pitch and offered the solution. Real Madrid were trailing to the Segunda B, Spain's third division, side Fuenlabrada following a Luis Milla goal (the son of Luis Milla who had spells with Barça, Madrid and Valencia) and Cata Diaz had gone close, hitting the bar for the visitors. The Bernabéu stated to tremble fearing the worst. Enter one Gareth Bale who delivered a luxury assist for Borja Mayoral to glance home and that put paid to any fear of a ‘Fuenlabrazo’, which had begun to haunt the Madrid faithful. Mayoral struck again for Zidane's men and Portilla bagged a late consolation for the visitors.
Fuenla-pride
Madrid progress to the next stage of the Copa del Rey but it's Fuenlabrada who emerge from the tie with their heads held high. The men from the Madrid suburbs went into last night's game trailing 0-2 from the first leg (two penalties it should to be added) and left the Bernabéu with a more than creditable draw on the night. Madrid march on in the Copa but with many question marks hanging over this second string side who came to the rescue on more than one occasion last season. Those who have departed are gone and much has been written about a lack of planning from the club. Those who remain are frustrated with the lack of first team playing time, but what we saw last night was a team incapable of overcoming a third tier outfit.
Far from convincing
It's worth tracking down and watching the delivery from Bale to Borja Mayoral for Madrid's first goal. Credit too to the striker who bagged a brace when given the chance. Kovacic also reappeared and Keylor was unlucky with the first Fuenla' goal. Ceballos runs the risk of disappearing in a haze, just as we've seen recently with Asensio. What we witnessed from the side assembled by Zidane was not a team but a hotch-potch who battled to see Madrid through to the last 16 of the cup with a two goal cushion from the first leg in Fuenlabrada. It was far from convincing in truth.