Internet Desk: Just three days after their Champions League win over Napoli, Real Madrid clinched three more important points at the Bernabeu as they beat Espanyol 2-0 to maintain their lead at the top of LaLiga, with two games in hand. Zidane made seven changes to Wednesday’s starting eleven, in yet another exhibition of the fact that the whole squad will have a role to play over the course of the season, as he kept the team’s other commitments in mind for the week ahead.
It was two of the new faces in the line-up who combined for the only goal of the first half. Isco found a precise pass with 33 minutes gone and Morata sent the ball into the back of the net with a fine header. It was the last move of note in a first half which saw Espanyol pose very little threat, while the hosts could have gone ahead on more than one occasion.
Kroos sent in a corner with just 12 on the clock and Pepe’s headed effort flew inches past the post. Cristiano Ronaldo also had a good opportunity following fine play by Lucas Vazquez to win the ball back and find a lovely pass in the 30th minute but Oscar Duarte was on the goal line to save his team.
The second half was livelier as Espanyol went in search of an equaliser. A Hernan Perez shot in the 61st minute was sent behind for a corner by Casilla. Eight minutes later Real Madrid almost extended their lead but a Cristiano Ronaldo header went over the bar.
Zidane then decided to bring on Gareth Bale in place of Alvaro Morata. The Welshman made his comeback after picking up an injury in Lisbon on the 22nd of November. The Whites continued to attack and in the 78thminute, Kroos saw Lucas Vazquez unmarked and picked him out with a great pass, but the winger’s volley hit the side netting.
The second goal came after a quick counterattack. Isco played the ball in behind the defence and Bale made no mistake in the one-on-one with Diego Lopez. Two assists from Isco helped the league leaders to maintain their advantage at the top of the table. Real Madrid will now travel to Mestalla on Wednesday, where they can extend their lead on the chasing pack in the rescheduled fixture against Valencia.