Real Madrid yesterday visited Espanyol at RCDE stadium in Barcelona on back of a consistent 5 match victory in all competition but the Madrid side were stunned by the Gerard Moreno strike late on in the game. Just when both sides looked likely to settle for a draw, Espanyol pushed for the winner with a late counter that saw Gerard guide the ball past Real goalkeeper Keylor Navas to send the home supporter to an uproar. In overall the Madrid side lacked the firepower which have been with them in the last 5 matches.
Zidane made changes to his side that won Alaves with Achiraf and Asensio returning to the starting line up while the likes of Gareth Bale and Isco were pushed upwards in a formation that looked like 4-4-2. The away side were the first to have an attempt with Gareth Bale but the Welshman effort was dnied by former Madrid shot-stopper Diego Lopez. There was another attempt from the away side through a Raphael Varane header. Espanyol’s Gerard should have given the host the lead midway through the half after a Varane error, but Navas was able to keep the game at 0-0. The Catalonia side continued to grow in confidence and should have been in the lead if not for the wrongly offside call for Gerard Moreno by the lineman with the replay showing that he was kept onside by Real Madrid’s Marcos Llorente.
Real Madrid were denied a penalty appeal before the interval after Victor Sanchez’s arm have blocked a Gareth Bale attempt inside the box. The Home side came out more determined in the second half and should have taken the lead twice. Oscar Duarte’ effort was denied by the wood-work while Keylo Navas denied Sergio Garcia. Below par Isco was put out of misery as he was replaced by Karim Benzema. The change did not tip the balance to the Madrid side as Espanyol continued to grow in strength and Madrid were lucky not go down on the night when Navas saved Gerardo Moreno header. The introduction of Ceballos for Gareth Bale had little impact for the visiting side. With time ticking and the two sides now settling for draw, Espanyol had one last go at goal and this was the straw that broke the Camel’s back as Gerardo Moreno was there finish up Madrid.
“We didn’t deserve to lose,” Zidane said after the game on beIN Sports. “I feel bad for the players. It’s a step back because the result is not with us. Today things didn’t go well.” Zidane said with a disappoint look on his face. The next game of Madrid is a home game against Getafe before the travel to France on Tuesday.