Huesca 1-2 Real Madrid: result, summary, goals

ALFREDO RELAÑO

Real Madrid are finding it all so difficult

Real Madrid struggling 

Alfredo Relaño takes a look at Zidane's side, and says there's little reason for optimism ahead of the Champions League...

Thanks for joining us today as we saw a dogged performance from Real Madrid who secure maximum points with Varane bagging a double for Zinedine Zidane's men. 

Madrid return to second spot in the table and Huesca remain rock bottom of LaLiga. 

The whistle sounds and it's three points for Madrid with Rafael Varane the unlikely hero for the 2019/20 LaLiga champions. 

Important from a Huesca perspective that they build on today's performance. It's been a professional performance from Real Madrid as they now turn their attention to Wednesday's clash vs. Getafe. 

Huesca running short of ideas now as the loft speculative balls into the box. It's been cruel on the Aragon men who have been valiant today and have made a major contest of today's LaLiga action. 

Three minutes of extra time will be added

Corner for Huesca ...Madrid defend solidly and the move breaks down.

Huesca free kick as the clock ticks down ...

Can Huesca dig deep and find an equaliser ... three minutes of normal time remain.

Rico off with Juan Carlos on for Huesca

Casemiro heads down and Alvaro can only palm the ball into the path of the onrushing Varane. 

Goooooooooooool Varane latches on a breaking ball in the box and taps home 

The point would see Madrid regain second place in LaLiga with Barcelona in Seville tomorrow night to face Betis. Atleti take on Celta in the Spanish capital on Monday. 

Less than 10 minutes on the clock now as Madrid press and Huesca sit deep and look to strike on the break. Benzema drills in on the half volley and a fine save from Alvaro.

Today's game is the fourth meeting between Madrid and Huesca in the Aragon club's two seasons in the top flight and a draw would be a 'moral' win for the side from El Alcoraz after three defeats in the previous three clashes.

Vinicius and Mendy make way for Park & Mariano.

Madrid almost make it 2 and Alvaro saves as Benzema drills the ball off the keeper's face

Double change for Zidane imminet with Mariano and Park set to join the action.

The second half has been wonderfully entertaining (can't say the same for the first 45') and Huesca are really going for it now with the Ontiveros switch for Doumbia.

Doumbia off with Ontiveros on (Huesca change)

The ball falls to Rafa Mir and the striker just blazes wide

Silva collides into Asensio for a free kick. Benzema, Kroos and Asensio over the ball ....it's the who Mallorca born takes 

20' remain at El Alcoraz with the game pattern remaining true to form.... Huesca sitting deep and absorbing pressure as Madrid enjoy the bulk of possession and offering the bettering in attacking threat.

Alvaro Odriozola seemed to have picked up a knock to add to Zidane's injury woes as Benzema almost makes it 2 for Madrid ... great series of back heels for Zidane's side as Marcelo almost drives the ball into the net.

Marcelo on for Alvaro Odriozola

Huesca break again and really look threatening as the maraude into an offensive position. The game far more open now and a different proposition to the first 45' which was cagey and tense.

Rafa Mir goes close as Huesca break well, Courtois on hand to avert the danger as the home side look so dangerous when they break.

First change of the night as Okazaki makes way for Escriche 

Free for Madrid, Asensio to take with Zidane's men back in control again despite yet another bright opening from the home side. 

Coming up to the hour mark and the game is a different proposition with the goals kick starting the match as a spactacle.

Despite Varane heading home, 75% of the credit for the goal goes to Benzema with a well drilled free kick which just bounced up vertically. Great technique from the French forward.

Poor keeping from Alvaro in the Huesca goal and alert play from the French defender.

Danger here for Huesca with the free just outside the box. Benzema and Kroos over the ball. The Frenchman to striker .... off the bar as Madrid bundle the ball into the net... Varane the scorer.... Gooooooool... Madrid level.

Asensio fouled with Silva carded

Madrid back in control of possession but Huesca could have had three in this second half playing with an added degree of confidence.

Goal attempts (Huesca 4-1 R.Madrid)

First goal for the young Galan and a strike he'll never forget...credit from Okazaki as Huesca almost bag a second

Great break from the bottom side of LaLiga as Galan strikes on the half volley and the 26-year-old latches onto the ball into the top corner!

Real Madrid with a limited bench (just 17 players travelling to Huesca) today as Rico clips the ball onto the ball with a cheeky back heel that rocks the Real Madrid cross ball.

No changes at the break. 

The home side will start the second half. 

The Huesca match day DJ obviously a big rock fan... After AC/DC pre game , now it's the turn of Bon Jovi's 'Runaway" that gets an airing as the sides return to the pitch

The Croatian central player has been excellent once again for Zidane's side.

Despite the bulk of possession at El Alcoraz, no breakthrough for Real Madrid with the visitors very much on top. Huesca enjoyed an early flurry but have been forced to sit deep. 

The whistle sounds in Huesca and it remains goalless as the sides head to the dressing room for a 15 minute interval.

A minute of normal time remains as Madrid still look to probe ... Maffeo carded for a clip on Nacho

Zizou back on the bench at El Alcoraz for Real Madrid today.

Alvaro now the much busier keeper with Courtois rarely called into action. Apart from the early burst from Huesca in the first five minutes, the side from Aragon have been pegged back as Madrid push. Clear to see the Pacheta influence on Huesca's defensive tenacity.

Huesca's keeper is down and will receive treatment from the medical team, the stopper appears okay to carry on. 

Less than 10 minutes left here in Huesca and the home side are still hanging on despite constant pressure from the visitors. 

Benzema shoots and Alvaro palms the ball away, fine back heeled from Modric to open the Huesca rear guard. 

Toni Kroos carded as he clips Maffeo and will miss the next league game for 'Los Blancos' (vs Getafe next Tuesday)

Huesca unable to thread consistent passes together as they give the ball away too cheaply. Rafa Mir not getting sufficient service for the home side.

Mendy also making plenty of forward forays with Huesca pinned back now with Madrid dictating the flow of the game.

Vinicius looks full of energy today as he tries to pull off an ambitious auto-pass as Kroos drifts a ball to the back post as Madrid push. 

Rafa Mir finds space once again on the Huesca right and the striker is unable to thread the ball through to a team-mate. 

Real Madrid dominating possession as we head towards the 30 minute mark

Vinicius almost fires Madrid ahead as he skips into the box and tries to lob Alvaro. Flag was up though !

Asensio gifted a ball at the edge of the area as Idrissa Doumbia clumsily passes to the Mallorquin who mis-controls and Huesca break free. 

Madrid pushing and looking for a way through, the final ball from the men in white is the undoing today so far for Real Madrid. Little intervention action from either goalkeeper it has to be said after 20 minutes of action. 

Better start for Huesca, but slowly but surely, Real Madrid have started to ease their way into the action.

Breaking:  Sergio Ramos reported to be in a 'stable' condition following his knee surgery this afternoon.

Excellent play from Vinicius as he skips into the box and his final ball into the box is underhit as Asensio drills the ball off a Huesca man for a corner kick.

A marauding run from Mendy with the French defender skipping past three Huesca players and runs out of options as Huesca clear. 

Vinicius into the box and his final touch is just too big as Alvaro grabs the loose ball.

Madrid easing their way back into the game now as the rain lashes down at the Estadio El Alcoraz

An interesting graph that showcases the differences between the sides.

Rafa Mir goes close again and fires the ball into the side netting. Bright start from the home side with Madrid being pegged back.

Rafa Mir feeds Okazaki and the Japanese just drills the ball wide. Great work the Wolves loanee

The previous meeting (and only league) between both sides in the top flight here at El Alcoraz saw the visitors secure a 0-1 win. Gareth Bale was on target for Madrid back in 2018.

Grey, cold and overcast in Huesca as the visitors get us underway 

AC/DC's Thunderstruck the intro music as it is for the likes of At. Madrid and Juve also use the classic by the Australian rockers as their intro tune. 

The sides take to the pitch at an empty El Alcoraz with Huesca in their classic navy and burgundy ... Madrid in their all white kit.

Today's match official is the Catalan Xavier Estrada Fernandez

A reminder of the starting line-ups for those just joining our live coverage:

Great pic of the spider-cam and the floodlights at the El Alcoraz stadium with ominous looking dark clouds brewing in the background. 

Zinedine Zidane attended his first press conference on Friday since recovering from coronavirus. The French coach was in an unfamiliar spiky mood and took umbrage to a series of the questions posed from the journalists.

Zidane presser, details here

Ramos to undergo surgery on knee injury

A major blow for Madrid and the club captain as Ramos will be operated on this Saturday as a result of discomfort in his left knee, which has been dragging on since the Spanish Super Cup.

Full story here

A win for the home side would be a shot in the arm for the side from Aragon but SD Huesca would remain in the drop zone.

A win or draw for Real Madrid today would see the side from the Spanish capital back into second place in the table. FC Barcelona face a tricky away test against Real Betis on Sunday night and runaway league leaders Atleti face Celta Vigo on Monday night at the Wanda Metropolitano.

Huesca XI: 

Zidane is back on the bench for Real Madrid after overcoming Covid-19. His side are undergoing a tricky spell with the win away to Alaves the only victory in their past five outings (in all competitions)

Huesca now under new manager Pacheta enjoying an upturn in form with a draw and win their past two outings

No team news yet from Huesca with the side from Aragon recently arriving at their home ground.

The team news is just coming in, first up the visitors: Real Madrid XI:

The action at the Estadio El Alcoraz gets underway at 16:15 CET.

Hello and a very warm welcome to our live coverage of today's LaLiga Santander clash as SD Huesca face Real Madrid.