Real Madrid outcast makes strong statement against Leganes with impressive statistics | OneFootball

Dani Ceballos has faced a season with limited opportunities, often struggling to break into Real Madrid’s starting lineup. However, his performance against Leganes proved that he still has the quality to make a significant impact when given the chance.

The midfielder was a surprising inclusion in the starting XI for this match and he made the most of his rare opportunity, delivering one of his best performances in recent months.

With several key players unavailable – including Federico Valverde, who was deployed as an emergency right-back, Aurelien Tchouameni sidelined through injury, and Luka Modric resting after international duty – manager Carlo Ancelotti decided to trust Ceballos in a starting role alongside Eduardo Camavinga in midfield.

This marked Ceballos’ second start of the season, his first coming nearly three months ago against Real Betis in early September.

Ceballos made the most of the opportunity

Despite having limited game time this season, Ceballos showcased his fitness and determination, playing the full 90 minutes at a high level.

Dani Ceballos played a great game against Leganes. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

He was instrumental in controlling the tempo of the match, often dictating play for Real Madrid. He completed 84 passes with an impressive 95% accuracy, the highest number of passes on the field.

In addition to his playmaking duties, he was also a key defensive presence, recovering possession nine times and losing possession only six times during the match.

Praise from the manager

After the game, Ancelotti praised Ceballos’ all-round contribution. He highlighted that when the team performs well, it is due to everyone pulling their weight, and Ceballos certainly did that in the midfield.

Ceballos himself expressed confidence in his ability to continue contributing to the team, including in future high-stakes matches, such as the upcoming clash with Liverpool at Anfield.

The midfielder’s performance against Leganes is a reminder of his potential, and it is clear that, if given more opportunities, he can play a key role for Real Madrid in the coming matches.