Luca Zidane gets chance to reclaim Leganes starting role

Luca Zidane has been handed an opportunity to challenge for the starting goalkeeper position at Leganes after making an assured return to action. The Algeria international had been relegated to the bench since joining the Spanish second-tier club from Granada, but Raul Fernandez’s suspension means Zidane is set to start against Eldense next Saturday.

Zidane entered Leganes’ 1-0 home victory over Oviedo after Fernandez was sent off roughly 20 minutes into the match. The dismissal followed a foul on Oviedo forward Chris Ramos that was reviewed by VAR. Leganes were already ahead through former Paris Saint-Germain player Ismaïl Gharbi and had to protect the lead with 10 men.

The 27-year-old goalkeeper made four saves and dealt confidently with aerial deliveries during the remainder of the game. His performance earned a 7.3 rating from Sofascore, giving him a strong response after losing his place to Fernandez, who is 38 and also arrived during the summer.

Zidane had been Granada’s regular starter before his move, but coach Rubén Albés initially chose the more experienced Fernandez at Leganes. He remained unused against Girona before the opening created by Sunday’s sending-off. The next fixture against Eldense will give him another chance to alter the hierarchy.