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.
Warnock hails Cardiff's heart as Bluebirds win again for Sala That was the first game since the tragedy; the three games since we've been superb. Cardiff have to move on from Emiliano Sala
Warnock proud of Cardiff response to Sala tragedy at Arsenal
SHANGHAI: Manchester City will return to China this year for the first time since their ill-fated visit of 2016, when a game with cross-town rivals United was called off at the last minute. Pray for no rain: Man City to return to China after Beijing debacle | New Straits Times | Malaysia General Business Sports and Lifestyle News
Pray for no rain: Man City to return to China after Beijing
Full Time: Everton 0-0 Crystal Palace. Despite dominating the match, Everton had to settle for a goalless draw against Crystal Palace in a result that hurts their European hopes. Everton hit the woodwork twice as they were held to a frustrating 0-0 Premier League draw at Crystal Palace despite dominating the contest.
Soccer-Everton held to goalless draw at Palace
Jan 15, 2019 · Chelsea face partial stadium closure over alleged racist chanting by fans This article is more than 4 months old • Uefa open disciplinary proceedings in regards to Vidi incident
Football: Chelsea face partial stadium closure over alleged
Football: Watford's Andre Gray strikes late winner to spoil Brendan Rodgers' Leicester debut against former side Mar 3, 2019, 10:47 pm Subscribe to The Straits Times
Brendan rodgers News: Brendan rodgers Latest News and
Rabiot has been marginalised and served an internal suspension-- and his mother said this treatment is having a detrimental effect on the entire squad. "The president [Al-Khelaifi] has made a completely unfair decision and everybody knows that," she told Agence France Presse. "By doing this, he has instilled a poison in his team, which has done
The NFL's Full PED Policy - National Football Post
Premier League: Liverpool back on top after dominant win over Bournemouth Description: Sadio Mane, Georginio Wijnaldum and Mohamed Salah scored the goals as Jurgen Klopp's men showed little sign of the nerves and mistakes in recent 1-1 draws with Leicester and West Ham.
Liverpool beat Newcastle with late Origi winner to top
Thomas Muller angered by Germany exclusion and vows to win back place in Joachim Low's plans "Shortly after we were told of the decision, pre-prepared statements from the DFB were delivered to the
Thomas Muller 'angry' after announcement that he'll no longer
Football: Guardiola not worried about Man City players
sportsloveme.com/soccer/football-guardiola-not-worried-about-man-city-players-social-media-use-after-walker-tweet/
Football: Guardiola not worried about Man City players' social media use after Walker tweet 02/02/2019 EPL , Manchester City , PEP GUAR MANCHESTER, United Kingdom (AFP) - Pep Guardiola is not concerned about the way his Manchester City players use social media, despite a post from Kyle Walker that appeared to mock Premier League title rivals
Guardiola not worried about Man City players' social media
Klopp denies Liverpool's lighter schedule is title advantage
Jun 05, 2019 · Violent England fans an embarrassment to the team and not welcome, says FA • Fans cause mayhem in Porto before Nations League game • Police baton-charge supporters after bottles are hurled
Football: Violent England fans in Portugal an embarrassment
sports-life-news.com/soccer/football-violent-england-fans-in-portugal-an-embarrassment-to-team-and-not-welcome-says-fa/
"The FA strongly condemns the scenes witnessed in Porto overnight," a spokesman said. "Anyone responsible for these disturbances cannot be seen as true England supporters and are not welcome in football. "They are an embarrassment to the team and the thousands of well-behaved fans who follow England in the right way.
Football: Violent England fans in Portugal an embarrassment
The city must direct scarce housing resources to those who are most in need, and the eligibility process is designed to keep out all but the most needy families. The city shelter system is regulated by the state welfare department, the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA).
Zoning and PUDs - City of Round Rock
Dennis Brand Leads Ten Finalists Into WSOPC Harrah's Cherokee Final Day. It was one-time gold ring winner Dennis Brand who bagged the largest stack at the end of Day 2 of the Harrah's Cherokee Main Event The penultimate day of the WSOP Circuit Harrah's Cherokee Main Event is in the books.
See Cole Swindell live at Harrah's plus 3 nights at River
westgateevents.com/events/cole-swindell-2019/
Harrah's Cherokee Resort & Casino, Cherokee, NC . Harrah's Cherokee Casino & Events Center is located near the North Carolina border just a mile from the entrance to the beautiful Blue Ridge Parkway and just a short, scenic mountain drive from Gatlinburg, TN.
Harrah's Laughlin found liable in fatal 2002 casino brawl
Liverpool will spend Christmas on top of the Premier League after goals from Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk earned them a 2-0 win at Wolves on Friday, opening up a four-point lead over second-placed Manchester City.
Liverpool seal Christmas top spot as Salah and Van Dijk sink
0 comments:
Post a Comment