Real Madrid moved ten points behind LaLiga leaders FC Barcelona after defeating Cadiz 2-0 victory on Saturday evening.
Madrid rested Vinicius Junior following the win over Chelsea, while Dani Carvajal, David Alaba, Eduardo Camavinga, Aurelien Tchouameni, Dani Ceballos and Marco Asensio were recalled to the line-up with one eye on the second leg on Tuesday.
Los Blancos experienced a nervy opening and nearly trailed 12 minutes in when Alfonso Espino charged in the area from a layoff on the left and hit the post through a shot across goal.
Asensio, who was on the target against the Blues, looked to make it two in two in two games with a shot off a loose clearance four minutes later but goalkeeper David Gil pulled clear and thwarted.
Madrid posed more problems after an even spell and should've gone in front ten minutes before halftime through a tap-in from Karim Benzema following a rebound, but he hit the upright.
The title holders remained on the attack after the break and closed in again when Eder Militao set Rodrygo clear with only Gil to beat, but the latter repelled.
Los Blancos continued gunning for the opener midway through the second half and went close when Benzema cut an angle in the area and hit the post off a smart shot.
Madrid's pressure reaped dividends in the last 20 minutes when Nacho Fernandez picked up a pass from Tchouameni and rifled into the bottom corner.
Asensio doubled their lead six minutes later as he connected with a cutback from Federico Valverde and opened a yard of space to pick out the net.
Cadiz struggled to contain the visitors before full-time and conceded further chances off shots by Asensio amongst others, but 2-0 was how it finished with Madrid cutting Barcelona's lead to ten points.
You must be Sign In to post and read comments.
Click here to register: Sign In