Gareth Bale breaks goal drought as Real Madrid see off Huesca
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Gareth Bale ended a three-month goal drought in La Liga to give Real Madrid a nervy 1-0 win away to basement club Huesca on Sunday, taking his side back into the top four at the expense of Alaves.
The Wales forward, who had not found the net in the league since Sept. 1 but had scored in the Champions League, gave Real an ideal start by volleying home a cross from Alvaro Odriozola in the eighth minute.
Huesca, bottom of the table with a meagre seven points and without a win since the opening day of the season, did not lay down against the European champions though, and it took a flying save from Thibaut Courtois to prevent Ezequiel Avila levelling soon afterwards.
Bale was denied another goal in the second half by Huesca's keeper and the home side laid siege to Real's area in the final stages but fell short of an equaliser as Courtois tipped a dangerous free kick over the bar in stoppage time and Dani Carvajal made a frantic clearance.
Real's eighth win in nine games in all competitions under coach Santiago Solari saw them climb above Alaves into fourth in the standings on 26 points after 15 games, five behind leaders Barcelona. Reuters
Match preview
What time does it start?
Huesca vs Real Madrid kicks off at 3:15pm (GMT)
Where can I watch it?
The match will be shown live on Eleven Sports 1 from 3:10pm and on their La Liga TV channel from kick-off. Fans can also watch the match on Eleven Sports through iOS mobile and tablet apps as well as on Android mobiles.
Highlights will be shown at 10:45pm on Eleven Sports’ La Liga TV channel.
Player to watch…
Luka Modric: The Croatian broke Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi’s dominance over the Ballon d’Or by claiming the prize on Monday evening in Paris. The 33-year-old stated that the award capped a very special year for him, but Santiago Solari will need similar performances from Modric that saw him claim the award as Real Madrid look to get themselves back in contention in the title race. He delivered such a performance last weekend by helping a young midfield overwhelm Valencia, but that has been a rare sight for the Madrid faithful so far this campaign.
Form guide…
Huesca: DLDLLL
Real Madrid: WWLWWW
Odds…
Huesca to win: 15/2
Real Madrid to win: 3/10
Draw: 23/5
Huesca 0-1 Real Madrid
73 minutes
Real appear to have weathered the storm. They were on the ropes earlier in the half, but the chances have dried up now for Huesca. There's still a feeling that a second goal might be needed, though. Solari's side have been lethargic and passive throughout, and clean sheets, of course, are a rarity for Real.
Huesca 0-1 Real Madrid
76 minutes
Both sides make changes. Two of the game's standout performers are off. Huesca bring off Ferreiro for Gurler, while Real replace Bale with Asensio.
Huesca 0-1 Real Madrid
79 minutes
Substitute Gurler has three opportunities to put the ball into the box, but each time sees his cross blocked. There are a couple of hopeful appeals for handball, too, but the referee isn't interested.
Huesca 0-1 Real Madrid
83 minutes
Real seem content to hold on to their narrow lead as full time approaches. They're showing a lot of respect to the league's bottom side, who have made things difficult for them throughout here.
Huesca 0-1 Real Madrid
84 minutes
A final change for the hosts: Longo is on in place of Avila.
Huesca 0-1 Real Madrid
86 minutes
Important defensive work by Llorente to stop Gurler's progress down the left. A loose ball by Asensio set the winger clear, but he was crowded out well.
Huesca 0-1 Real Madrid
87 minutes
Pulido, forward from defence, tries an audacious volley from a tight angle. Predictably, it comes closer to clearing the stand behind the goal than finding the net. Time running out for Huesca.
Huesca 0-1 Real Madrid
88 minutes
Another chance for Huesca. Hernandez is picked out in the box, swivels and connects with a volley. But he gets too much on it and it flies over.
Huesca 0-1 Real Madrid
90 minutes
Two minutes of added time will be played. One last roar of encouragement rings around the stadium.
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