The formality of a second leg mid-week tie in the early rounds of the Copa Del Rey is usually enough to make even the most ardent Real Madrid fan a little bit bored. But all eyes were on their tie against Cornella earlier this week for one reason only, the return of the prodigal son, Jese Rodriguez.
Taken by the evil grasps of injury 258 days ago Jese’s return marked the best possible “signing” Carlo Ancelotti’s squad could make this upcoming transfer window. Last season, the youngster, long-touted as the jewel of La Fabrica, showed that he was more than capable of competing at the highest level with Madrid’s international stars.
In fact, it may seem so long ago now but there was a point, after Jese’s magnificent run of goals at the turn of the year, where murmurs of him benching Gareth Bale started to become more than mere pipedreams. But it was another second leg formality, that time the Champions League round of 16 against Schalke, where Jese suffered a catastrophic knee injury.
For Madrid fans, desperate for another homegrown superstar in the vein of Raul and Iker Casillas it was a harrowing blow. Over in Catalonia, Barcelona fans have made no secret of the fact that their youth system has been such a source of wealth in the past decade, while Madrid seemed tethered to big money purchases.
Jese was the chance for redemption. The injury was cruel, harsh and above all, perhaps career altering.
Yet on Tuesday many of those fears may have been quelled. It’s way early to say and a game against such a poor opponent is clearly not the best barometer for long-term success. Still, for the first time back on the pitch in almost a full calendar year Jese looked fantastic, almost as if he never missed a beat.
His pace, perhaps the attribute most under threat following the ACL injury, seemed intact. It was apparent early on too, though his first few dribbles were relatively uneventful, every time he picked up the ball there was the same swagger that made him such a terror for La Liga defenders at the beginning of 2014.
Eventually Jese found his feet, so to speak, dribbling past defenders, nut-megging others and showing some impressive combination play with the likes of Isco, who could not have been more elated as Jese put away the fifth goal of the night with a well-placed right footed shot across the face of the goal.
The relief on Jese’s face must have mirrored the look of all Madridistas worldwide. As he pumped his fist in celebration it felt as though an anchoring weight was off his shoulders.
Jese’s importance to this Madrid team will come down the stretch. While Bale is of a different class at the moment, the Welshman has struggled to string together any semblance of consistent football this season.
He provides something entirely different. Jese will thrive in Ancelotti’s possession-based system where everyone plays their part defensively. His incisive runs behind the back of the defense will be fodder for through balls from the likes of Isco, James Rodriguez and Toni Kroos.
But above all getting Jese back gives Madrid the chance to rotate and keep everyone fresh in a season where four trophies are still up for grabs.
