Leganes Vs Real Madrid

Introduction

Spanish football has never really been disappointing when thrilling matches are concerned, and the case between CD Leganés and Real Madrid in the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey fulfilled this notion on the fifth of February, 2025. The match at Estadio Municipal de Butarque had the making of a classic underdog story: Leganés came close to pulling an upset on the Spanish giants, only for Real Madrid to stage a remarkable comeback and pip Leganés 3-2 at the death.

Head-to-Head Record

Historically, Real Madrid has had the upper hand over CD Leganés. Before this match:

• Total Matches: 15

• Real Madrid won: 12

• Leganés Wins: 2

• Draws: 1

But the 2017-18 Copa del Rey victory, which took Leganés fans back to happier times, was even more memorable for the victory over Madrid at Santiago Bernabéu.

Recent Form

Leganés:

• Leganés has been gradually shining in its efforts toward promotion back to the First Division, as has most of its Second Division performances.

• It has been pretty good sailing for Leganés in the Copa del Rey so far: all high-seeded teams have been eliminated, and they are now in the quarter-finals.

Real Madrid:

• Real Madrid was coming into this fixture buoyed by good La Liga and Champions League pass results.

• Ancelotti’s men were on an 8-match unbeaten streak in all competitions.

• Madrid had a good rotation policy during the cup matches, blending youth and experience.

Team News & Lineups

Leganés Starting XI:

• Formation: 4-4-2.

• Key Players: Juan Cruz, Diego Conde (Goalkeeper), Fede Vico.

Real Madrid Starting XI:

• Form: 4-3-3.

• Key players: Luka Modrić, Endrick Moreira de Sousa, Antonio Rüdiger.

• Absentees: Jude Bellingham (rested), and Dani Carvajal (minor injury).

Substitutes with the most impact:

• In the second half, Vinícius Júnior and Gonzalo García entered the game, injecting pace and freshness into Madrid’s attack.

Tactical Analysis

Leganés’ Approach:

• Leganés lined up defensively, maintaining compact lines and counter-attacking quickly.

• They aimed at slowing Madrid’s midfield down and using the wings.

• They had a couple of set-piece strategies they executed efficiently for one of their goals.

Real Madrid Approach:

• Madrid had 58% possession, controlling midfield through Modrić and Valverde.

• Fluid passing, quick switches of play, and use of half-spaces remained their focus.

• Leganés came back to the match due to Madrid’s defensive blunders.

Key Tectical Moment: In the final quarter Ancelotti’s introduction of fresh legs stretched Leganés’ tired defense and became a key factor in determining the outcome.

Leganés Key Players

Leganés:

Juan Cruz: The standout performer of Leganés, netted twice, keeping Madrid’s defense at bay.

Fede Vico: Provided effective connection in transitions through midfield to commence multiple counter-attacks.

Real Madrid:

Luka Modrić: Scored the first goal and then controlled the pace.

Endrick Moreira de Souza: Displayed coolness beyond his tender years, converting his penalty.

Gonzalo García: The savior on the night, netting the winning goal in injury time.

Match Summary

First Half: Madrid’s Play

The game started on a high note for Real Madrid, with early scores coming from Modrić in the 18th minute, followed by a penalty conversion by Endrick in the 25th minute. It looked like a normal routine win, and there came Leganés to fight back.

Leganés Comeback

Juan Cruz scored in the 39th and 59th minutes, making the best of defensive lapses and errors by Real Madrid. Suddenly, it became an exciting 2-2.

Stoppage-Time Drama

Just as it looked destined to extra time, a spectacular goal from Gonzalo García in the 90+3rd minute broke Leganés hearts and booked Madrid’s passage to the semi-finals.

Match Statistics

Stat	Leganés	Real Madrid
Possession	42%	58%
Shots (On Target)	16 (4)	19 (11)
Fouls Committed	14	13
Corners	3	7
Yellow Cards	1	3

Match predictions

Surely, before the preparation of the match, the betting odds heavily tipped on Real Madrid:

• Real Madrid to Win: 1.25

• Leganés to Win: 10.00

• Draw: 5.50

• Both Teams to Score: Yes (2.10) – as proved

Pre-match Prediction: Real Madrid will win with both teams scoring – indeed, this was the case.

Final Thoughts

The Leganés versus Real Madrid Copa del Rey quarter-final served as a hint at why cup football is truly magical. Real Madrid took home accolades for the win but Leganés earned respect worldwide by holding its head high under battle-tested fighting and tactically disciplined attack intent. See more

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