It is advantage Real Madrid, as the Whites grab a 4-2 win in their quarter final first leg clash against Girona in the Copa del Rey.
Real Madrid claimed advantage in the first leg against Girona in their Copa del Rey quarter final clash on Thursday evening, by a 4-2 margin. The visiting side scored first through an exquisite move, at the end of which was Anthony Lozano. Soon after, Los Merengues ensured parity as Alvaro Odriozola made a great run and squared the ball for Lucas Vazquez.
Vinicius Junior earned a penalty for the hosts some minutes prior to half-time, which was converted by Sergio Ramos in his classy and now inevitably, yet unpredictable Panenka style. However, Girona were not ready to lie down and they had a penalty too, which was converted by their captain Alex Granell.
Real Madrid’s captain Sergio Ramos scored thirteen minutes from time to make it 3-2 in favour of the Whites with a powerful header of Marcelo’s cross. Karim Benzema rounded off a personal champagne night with a goal for himself, his first in over three weeks and also his first in the Copa del Rey 2018/19.
While the tie is far from over, Real Madrid will be taking a two goal cushion with them to the Montilivi next Thursday, but they have conceded two away goals as well. That said, the likes of Kroos and Llorente will be back to full fitness whereas Gareth Bale, Marco Asensio and Mariano Diaz could be fit enough to travel too.
Let us take a look at how the Real Madrid players fared in this match.
Goalkeeper- Thibaut Courtois- 6.5/10
Thibaut Courtois played his first Copa del Rey game in five years, as well as his first in a Real Madrid shirt. The Belgium international did not have much work to do all night and both the goals were fairly unstoppable for him. Otherwise, Courtois had nothing to do of note for the entire night and it was an untroubled night for him between the sticks.