Zinedine Zidane humbly downplays his tactical expertise as a manager after winning FIFA's best coach of the year award.
Real Madrid saw off a well-drilled and occasionally dangerous Fuenlabrada side in the Estadio Fernando Torres 2-0 courtesy of two penalty decisions that will dominate Friday's headlines. The first was debatable and buried by Marco Asensio while the second was more clear-cut and five metres from the referee, Lucas Vazquez stepping up to do the honours.
Positives
Zinedine Zidane avoided the two basic tenets of Real Madrid's Copa last-32 bow: avoiding a repeat of the 2009-10 Alcorconazo and not fielding an ineligible player, events that effectively sealed the fate of two of his predecessors. Dani Ceballos stood out for the visitors and Kiko Casilla again proved his worth in a victory that leaves little to chance in the return leg at the Bernabeu.
Negatives
Fuenlabrada had the better of the first half until the 44th minute and Real suffered from the corner flag as the side's traditional Achilles' heel flared up again. This was not a fluid performance from the B team, as might be expected in such an unfamiliar 11, and the hosts made life uncomfortable for the Liga and European champions.
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Manager rating out of 10
7 -- Zidane took a chance by omitting potential game-changers on the bench against a side second in Segunda B group I. There were several seasoned former Primera pros in their ranks, who got the better of him when he was in charge of Castilla in the same stadium. However, he resisted his instinct to blood too many youngsters and now has practically a bye into the last 16.
Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best. Players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)
GK Kiko Casilla, 7 -- The back-up made a couple of key stops late on after a fairly quiet evening that included a routine save from Miguel Angel and a few interventions in his area. Another note to Zidane that he is a starter in all but status.
DF Achraf Hakimi, 7 -- Almost all of Real's attacking intent passed through the right flank, and although a little wasteful in his final ball Achraf's position as Dani Carvajal's deputy was further cemented in an overall impressive display.
DF Jesus Vallejo, 5 -- Making his debut under Zidane, Vallejo cut out a pass bound for Dioni in a two-on-two and read the hosts' attack well throughout. Comfortable on the ball and intelligent in his positioning, quite what possessed him to earn a straight red for a studs-up challenge on Luis Milla is anyone's guess.
DF Nacho, 7 -- A repeat of his goal against Cultural was never likely as the captain for the evening rarely ventured past the halfway line. Clearly under instruction to use his experience to marshal a raw back four, Zidane's go-to utility man just did that.
DF Alvaro Tejero, 6 -- The perennial bridesmaid, who seems destined for a loan at some stage, was subdued on a crowded left other than a couple of decent runs but looked more comfortable after switching to his usual right back slot in the final 10 minutes.
Real Madrid's Dani Ceballos, right, takes control of the ball against Fuenlabrada's Miguel Angel Atienza.
MF Dani Ceballos, 8 -- A ruleta a la Zidane set the tone for a fine showing from the midfielder, who certainly outshone his immediate pretender to Casemiro's throne, Marcos Llorente. Covered plenty of ground looking for the ball and used it well for the most part.
MF Marcos Llorente, 6 -- A series of misplaced passes early on was punctuated with a fine read of a Fuenala one-two, and immediately followed by another ball into the hoardings. A wonderful strike, controlled on his chest and volleyed on 44 minutes, was touched onto the bar by Codina and was Madrid's first on target.
MF Theo Hernandez, 6 -- The suspicion is that Hernandez operates better as a full-back with the whole pitch ahead of him than as a midfielder, and Zidane probably won't repeat this experiment again. Won the second penalty but it was a bit harsh on Paco Candela. Otherwise, energetic but more enthusiasm than precision.
FW Lucas Vazquez, 7 -- A first-half penalty shout on the paint of the Fuenla area incensed the winger, who went in hard on a couple of retaliatory challenges. Narrowly missed the inside of the far post after a good run on 76 minutes and slotted the second penalty into the corner under the dive of Codina.
FW Borja Mayoral, 5 -- Barely had a touch until the end of the first 45 when he latched on to a loose ball but failed to test Codina from close range. Livened up after the break with a decent effort under pressure that rasped over and a well-placed header that drew a flying save from the Fuenla keeper. Being shackled effectively by 38-year-old journeyman Cata Diaz isn't going to trouble Karim Benzema's sleep though.
FW Marco Asensio, 6 -- A little isolated playing as a striker alongside Mayoral, Asensio tended to drift out to a left-hand side already overstocked by Hernandez and Tejero. Buried his penalty expertly, sending Codina the wrong way, and tested the Fuenla keeper minutes later, but this was not a game for his highlights reel.
Substitutes
MF Francisco Feuillassier, NR -- A player that barely registers for Castilla boss Santiago Solari but has crept up the pecking order under Zidane, Franchu is one to keep an eye on.
Rob Train covers Real Madrid and the Spanish national team for ESPN FC. Twitter: @Cafc13Rob.
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Source: espn.co.uk