Resting players with Copa Del Rey in mind, Real Madrid rallied to secure a 3-2 victory against Leganes on Saturday. Kylian Mbappe opened the scoring with a penalty, but the relegation-battling Leganes responded strongly, exposing Real Madrid`s disorganized defense to take the lead by halftime.
However, Real Madrid started the second half with renewed energy, with Jude Bellingham quickly finding the net. The introduction of Vinicius Junior and Fede Valverde further boosted Real Madrid`s attack, culminating in Mbappe`s second goal from a clever set-piece play, securing the win.
This victory puts Real Madrid level on points with Barcelona at the top of La Liga, although Barcelona has a game in hand against Girona on Sunday. Real Madrid`s focus remains on their own performance, as the title race could hinge on El Clásico in May if both teams maintain their current form. Despite the unexpected challenge from Leganes, such games provide valuable learning opportunities for Los Blancos.
Jude Bellingham`s Timely Run
Bellingham`s equalizing goal showcased his determination. Less than two minutes into the second half, he followed up his own saved shot and Brahim Diaz`s blocked attempt, seizing the rebound to score. This was Bellingham`s seventh La Liga goal of the season, adding to his six assists. Crucially, the goal came from a late run into the penalty area.
While Bellingham frequently made these runs last season when Real Madrid lacked a central striker, they`ve been less common with Mbappe`s arrival. In the second half, Bellingham effectively played as a second forward, taking three shots with an expected goal value of one. He effectively interchanged positions with Mbappe and maintained his passing accuracy, contributing to the team`s attacking drive.
Kylian Mbappe`s Double
Despite taking nine shots, Mbappe`s two goals, including the decisive winner, were crucial for Real Madrid. His brace brought his La Liga tally to 22, equaling Robert Lewandowski in the Golden Boot race. The team is actively working to involve Mbappe in attacking plays, ensuring he receives the ball frequently and early.
Mbappe is increasingly receiving the ball at his feet and in counter-attacking situations, proving highly effective. As Real Madrid competes for a treble this season, Mbappe`s goals will be vital. After a challenging start at Madrid, Mbappe is now meeting the high expectations associated with the shirt, contributing to Real Madrid`s transformation into a formidable team at a critical point in the season.
Concerns About Squad Depth
Despite the victory, several Real Madrid players underperformed. Brahim Diaz`s turnover led to a Leganes goal, while Fran Garcia and Raul Asencio struggled defensively. The match became unnecessarily difficult, a point Carlo Ancelotti will note. While some rustiness is expected after the international break and player rotation, Real Madrid faces a demanding schedule with three games in seven days, requiring contributions from the entire squad. Upcoming Champions League quarterfinals against Arsenal are sandwiched between league games against Valencia and Alaves, teams with a similar profile to Leganes. While Real Madrid has shown resilience in securing results, they need more consistent performances to challenge Barcelona and win La Liga.
Looking Ahead
Real Madrid`s schedule intensifies with the Copa del Rey semifinal second leg on Tuesday, April 1. Holding a 1-0 advantage and playing at home, Real Madrid will be confident going into the match. The Champions League tie against Arsenal is also approaching. Leganes must quickly recover from this narrow defeat in their fight against relegation, as they face Osasuna on April 7.
