Real Madrid 1-2 Leganes (2-2 aggregate): 5 Talking Points
Final score - Real Madrid 1-2 Leganes (2-2 aggregate)
Goalscorers: Javier Eraso 31'(Leganes), Karim Benzema 47'(Real Madrid), Gabriel Pires 55'(Leganes)
Real Madrid were dumped out of the Copa del Rey after a lacklustre second leg performance against Leganes. The visitors won 2-1 on the night and qualified for the semifinals on away goals. Javier Eraso opened the scoring for Leganes through a 25-yard thunderbolt in the first half, continuing his good run of form from the first leg.
Just moments into the second half, Karim Benzema gave Real Madrid the lead through a delightful chip which brought the (aggregate) lead back to the home side. But Leganes were determined enough to score the second courtesy of captain Gabriel Pires, who rose the highest from a corner and gave Leganes the advantage with more than half hour to play.
Real Madrid couldn't muster another goal and ultimately crashed out of the competition.
On that note, let's delve further into the game in detail by looking at the 5 talking points that emerged from Real Madrid's shock 2-1 loss to Leganes:
#5 Flawed team selection
Zinedine Zidane has made the most of his squad depth in the Copa del Rey this time around. Making 10 changes to the side that beat Deportivo over the weekend, it was Nacho who was the sole survivor from that thumping win.
Teams do make changes of this magnitude when they are flying in all competitions and when the performance levels have been high from the entire squad.
Real Madrid didn't have both. Then why were the likes of Gareth Bale, Toni Kroos, Marcelo and Cristiano Ronaldo not even included in the matchday squad? Confidence or arrogance?
Ronaldo suffered a dangerous cut to his face in the last night and may not have been completely fit for this game but he was present in the first-team training and looked completely normal with his play.
Real Madrid's fringe has disappointed time and again this season, which makes Zidane's loyalty to these players baffling and makes the decision of not lining up his best XI questionable at best.
It all becomes even more surprising when you take into account that Copa del Rey was the only realistic chance for Real Madrid to win silverware this season and boy have they squandered it.