MADRID (AFP) - Zinedine Zidane refused to guarantee Gareth Bale's future at Real Madrid after the Welshman struggled again in a 2-1 victory over Eibar on Saturday (April 6).
Karim Benzema scored twice at the Santiago Bernabeu as Madrid came from behind after Marc Cardona, starting only after an injury to Pedro Leon in the warm-up, gave Eibar a surprise lead.
But Madrid improved and a pair of Benzema headers ensured the groans and whistles that had soured the atmosphere for much of the opening hour turned to cheers and applause at the end.
Much of the frustration was again directed at Bale, who started here after being dropped by Zidane for the defeat to Valencia on Wednesday.
Asked afterwards if Bale would be at Real Madrid next season, Zidane said: "We'll see, I'm not going to tell you what's going to happen. Gareth is a Real Madrid player, he has two years left on his contract. We will see. It is not the time to talk about this."
Bale's below-par performances and a lack of support from either coach or fans seem so inter-linked now, it is difficult to know what comes first.
He departed again to whistles with 14 minutes left, a conciliatory hand slap from Zidane offering little consolation as he trudged off.
Benzema's trajectory has been the opposite, the Frenchman now with six goals in five La Liga games, four of them since Zidane took over.
"Karim has had a great season," Zidane said.
"His goals have perhaps changed people's perception of him. But he has never changed as a player."
Madrid's win means they are 10 points adrift of leaders Barcelona and two behind Atletico Madrid. Barca and Atletico play each other later on Saturday. Eibar stay 11th.
Zidane has insisted his players are not on trial but his changing line-ups at least suggest he is examining his options before the summer.
This time, Sergio Ramos was rested, while Casemiro, Toni Kroos and Lucas Vazquez also dropped out. In came Nacho, Federico Valverde, Isco and Bale.
Bale's half began badly as he failed to control Valverde's overhit pass and then got worse as he missed a one-on-one when his finish was saved by Marko Dmitrovic.
CHORUS OF WHISTLES
The scattering of whistles became a chorus after he dragged a shot wide from 25 yards and it was no surprise his confidence drained away, a poor touch following shortly after.
Bale was not the only one. Madrid lacked precision or purpose, as opponents were allowed through unchecked and passes went astray.
In the 39th minute, as the fans' frustration was reaching its peak, Eibar scored, a crisp move down the left ending with a cute pass from Gonzalo Escalante to Cardona, who chipped into the net.
The second half started better for Madrid, with Benzema scoring only to be called back for offside before the Frenchman headed in the equaliser just before the hour. Marco Asensio did brilliantly to weave into space and dig out the cross.
Bale might have been in but Asensio's pass struck the back of his heel and the Welshman departed with 14 minutes left, to disgruntled whistles.
Madrid scored the winner without him. Kroos' whipped cross was again met by the forehead of Benzema and, again, the ball found the net.
Benzema should have completed his hat-trick late on but one finish was palmed away by Dmitrovic and another, with the goal gaping, looped over. He even hit the post with a bending effort in injury-time. The treble was not to be.
Football: Everton dish out 4-0 thrashing to awful Manchester United to dim their top-four EPL hopes The Straits Times; Fantasy football: Make room for Gylfi Sigurdsson but be cautious with Pierre
Michael Kors: Coming Soon to a Broadway Theater Near You
The Australian, who has scored once in six appearances for his country, is on a two-year loan at Scottish club Celtic from English Premier League champions Manchester City. Michel Sablon was the last FAS technical director, but the Belgian stepped down in December 2018, after being appointed in April 2015.
eReaders on Flipboard | Singapore, Solomon Islands, College
LONDON - Premier League leaders Manchester City recovered from two goals down to beat Championship side Swansea City 3-2 at the Liberty Stadium on Saturday to progress to the FA Cup semi-finals.
Man City come from two goals down to reach FA Cup last four
Football: Chelsea boss Sarri baffled by 6-0 humbling at Man
Read more about Jesus fires as Man City snatch top spot from Liverpool on Business Standard. Pep Guardiola welcomed Gabriel Jesus's return to form as the Brazilian struck twice in a 3-1 win over Everton as Manchester City leapfrogged Liverpool back to the top of the Premier League.Jesus hadn't scored a Premier League goal for four months
Gabriel Jesus double fires Manchester City back to the top of
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer refuses to give up on the Top Four after dropping points to Chelsea Sky Sports Football Ole Gunnar Solskjaer spoke after his Manchester United side were held to a 1-1 draw
Manchester United Players 'Need to Fear' Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
Madrid (AFP) - A Spanish court on Wednesday acquitted former Barcelona president Sandro Rosell, who spent nearly two years in pre-trial custody, of money laundering. Rosell, his wife and four others, were accused of "large-scale money laundering" of close to 20 million euros ($23 million) since 2006, relating to television rights and
Spain court acquits former FC Barcelona president of money
worldsoccertalk.com/2019/04/24/spain-court-acquits-former-fc-barcelona-president-of-money-laundering/
Madrid (AFP) - A Spanish court on Wednesday acquitted former Barcelona president Sandro Rosell, who spent nearly two years in pre-trial custody, of money laundering. Rosell, his wife and four others, were accused of "large-scale money laundering" of close to 20 million euros ($23 million) since 2
Football: Uefa says anti-racism protocol not followed in
Two recent viral videos, including one where a woman wrongfully accused a 9-year-old black boy of sexually assaulting her at a deli, have become the latest focus of outrage of alleged racism and highlight a trend of white people being held accountable for their actions after recordings show the black person has done nothing wrong, reports NBC News.
Amid blackface outrage, parents rip racism at Forest Hills
In the dying minutes of Iran's 3-0 defeat to Japan on Monday, striker Sardar Azmoun slapped Japan midfielder Gaku Shibasaki in the face, sparking a melee that also involved his teammates Ehsan Hajsafi and Ramin Rezaeian. Ali Motahari, deputy speaker in Iran's parliament, called for them to be disciplined.
Football: Call in Iran for footballers to be punished over
Genius's community of contributors powers the world's biggest collection of song lyrics and musical knowledge. Join Our Community Learn How Genius Works. Rank. Top Scholars Today.
META-INF/MANIFEST.MFname/audet/samuel/shorttyping/ShortDictManager$BufferedStream.classname/audet/samuel/shorttyping/ShortDictManager.classname/audet/samuel
Join LiveJournal
0 comments:
Post a Comment