Real Madrid just managed to qualify for the quarterfinals of the Copa del Rey after a largely unconvincing and tense hard-fought draw against Spanish third tier side Fuenlabrada at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Zidane chose to field an extremely youthful side, comprising largely of youth players. Infact, it was an entirely different starting XI to the one that started against Malaga last week and Keylor Navas and Gareth Bale were the only players in the squad who could be considered starting XI regulars.
Luis Milla opened the scoring in the 25th minute and Real struggled to get back into the game for the rest of the first half. Real equalised in the second half and doubled their lead 8 minutes later. That proved to be enough for Los Blancos and Alvaro Portilla’s 89th minute goal was only a mere consolation.
Borja Mayoral, who has barely featured for Real this season turned saviour on the night by scoring both of his side’s goals.
3 – Borja Mayoral has scored three goals in his three starts for Real Madrid this season in all competitions. Necessary. pic.twitter.com/flHPtqNvfC
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) November 28, 2017
THIS IS BORJA MAYORAL THIS IS REAL MADRID TAKE YOUR MORATA FANGIRLING AND SHOVE IT WHERE THE SUN DOESNT SHINE
— 13 (@Asensiazo) November 28, 2017
Mayoral has to buy Bale dinner.
— R (@Rai17181516) November 28, 2017
Borja Mayoral’s off the ball movement & instinct are simply brilliant.
Would love to see him getting more minutes for Real Madrid in La Liga.
— FootballTalentScout (@FTalentScout) November 28, 2017
I’m not sold on Borja Mayoral as back-up quality but I still have zero clue as to why Zidane stopped giving him any minutes after the Sociedad match. He could have used that game to build some momentum. Downright perplexing
— 12 (@Noursedki28) November 28, 2017
Not gonna say anything about Mayoral, man is just 20 right now. Needs a right loan move and I’m sure he’ll do better. Give him time.
— Wasay (@CarvajalRelated) November 28, 2017
But it was Gareth Bale who stole the spotlight. The Welshman came on from the substitutes bench after the hour mark and played his first La Liga match in over 2 months. It was a masterclass from the 28-year-old, who created both of Real’s equalizers.
It’s so easy to see how Bale is a class above anyone else on the pitch. If this man is on form, he is an unstoppable monster.
— Xav Salazar (@XavsFutbol) November 28, 2017
62′ ?? Gareth Bale comes in from SUBS ?
62’ ?? Assists Mayoral with an INSANE OUTSIDE FOOT cross ?
After 2 months out, he provided an assist with practically his first touch ?
And they say man’s not hot ??♂️#BeastisBack ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/3TY9pbNmZC
— Gareth Bae ⑪ (@TheGarethBae) November 29, 2017
Really enjoyed being back out there, and even better to get through to the next round ??#HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/qzvvm9bg1U
— Gareth Bale (@GarethBale11) November 28, 2017
5 – Gareth Bale now leads the assists charts for Real Madrid this season despite playing around 700 minutes less than his teammates.
— Andrew Gaffney (@GaffneyVLC) November 28, 2017
1 – Gareth Bale has assisted in his first touch of the game against Fuenlabrada. Express. pic.twitter.com/EcuErqrn9z
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) November 28, 2017
If Gareth Bale had no injuries since coming to Real Madrid, he would’ve been nominated for the Ballon d’or and i’m not exaggerating. He did it in the best player in Europe when he had less injuries.
— vìvø (@YehiaHanyIsmael) November 28, 2017
We missed the outside of your left boot, Welcome back @GarethBale11
— Real Madrid Info (@RMadridInfo) November 28, 2017
you know the feeling when you put on brand new white sneakers on a rainy day? That’s how I feel watching Gareth Bale play.
— Diego Barrueco (@DiegoBarrueco) November 28, 2017
Just stay healthy for ever @GarethBale11 ?
— corazón blanco (@nancymadrisco) November 28, 2017
Gareth Bale has changed the game in less than five minutes
— RMadridGirl (@RMadridGirl) November 28, 2017
Finally goooaaaal Mayoraaall and welcomeeeee back man @GarethBale11 what a ridiculously stunning assist ??????????
— OMAR ? (@Omar__cr7_) November 28, 2017
Gareth Bale has changed the game in less than five minutes
— RMadridGirl (@RMadridGirl) November 28, 2017
Think about it, we needed 100M record signing Gareth Bale to secure our qualification to next round against mighty Fuenlabrada who’s name I clearly copy pasted with all due respect to them
— Rk (@RkFutbol) November 28, 2017
However, fans had a few thigns to say about their manager’s decisions after watching this performance.
22 years and 156 days – Real Madrid’s starting XI today against Fuenlabrada is their youngest average age under Zinédine Zidane (all competitions). Fabrica. pic.twitter.com/qFQGdA0gK2
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) November 28, 2017
Zinedine Zidane is only a good squad manager. He is a poor coach. Back to back UCL’s shouldn’t be impossible with one of the GOAT squads. And with the depth we have, 3rd ucl should be a given. Just my opinion
— Rk (@RkFutbol) November 28, 2017
So quick how Madrid fans turned on Zidane. Smh
— ♎️ (@eiseenheim) November 29, 2017
Zidane is indirectly preparing his sack letter. Things keeps getting worse game after game.
— S.ONE (@Awesomekalu) November 28, 2017
Zidane has destroyed this club
— F (@BIancoRoyalty) November 28, 2017
0 – number of players who have improved under Zidane
— BG (@FUCKOFFBENZEMA) November 28, 2017
Zidane really needs to get his act together. Despite losing several key players this summer their squad is still one of the best. It’s not the time to panic but it’s certainly time to worry. This has been a rough patch for #RealMadrid
— ™ (@Tacticomotion_) November 28, 2017