Zinedine Zidane's opted to start his son Luca Zidane in goal for Real Madrid in Sunday's encounter with Huesca and the French manager's decision was greeted with mixed reactions across his club's fan base.
With Thibaut Courtois out with injury, the youngster was handed his first start of the season against the bottom-placed visitors ahead of Keylor Navas. The latter, who was demoted to the bench during Santiago Solari's tenure, has been restored to the starting lineup since Zidane's arrival.
Nevertheless, the youngster was made to endure a nightmarish opening minutes in his second first-team appearance as Huesca took the lead three minutes after kick-off. 22 minutes later, parity was restored, thanks to Isco's strike.
Dani Ceballos then fired Los Blancos in front in the 62nd minute but the lead lasted for just 12 minutes as Xaber Etxeita subsequently grabbed the equalizer. A late Karim Benzema goal then ensured that all the three points stayed at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The decision to feature Luca Zidane in goal evidently came as a surprise for many as the 20-year-old failed to make a single first team appearance under both Julen Lopetegui and Santiago Solari. Here is how some fans reacted to his inclusion on Sunday:
Can't believe Luca Zidane is starting a serious, real game for Real Madrid again.
— Lucas Navarrete (@LucasNavarreteM) March 31, 2019
Me when I saw Ceballos Llorente Odriozola & BRAHIM all starting but then i noticed Luca Zidane in goal pic.twitter.com/dGUsuERzOb
— Aarul (@Aaruls12) March 31, 2019
Can anyone confirm why Luca Zidane got the start in goal? Is it simply nepotism or is Navas not 100% healthy? I know Courtois is out due to tendonitis, but Navas certainly hasn't played enough to need a rest...
— Adrian From RTV (@Rabona_TV) March 31, 2019
Luca Zidane starting is quite big news but Courtois is injured and Navas, 32, just played two full games in Gutemala and Costa Rica. It's more practical than it seems.
— Robbie Dunne (@robbiejdunne) March 31, 2019
2nd Zizou game back and nepotism is in full flow. Luca Zidane has absolutely no business in the team. That being said, Brahim, Ceballos and Isco is just pure sex. https://t.co/51BkIDmNvA
— Xav Salazar (@XavsFutbol) March 31, 2019
Luca Zidane starts in goal for Real, Navas on the bench, COURTOIS' NOT EVEN IN THE SQUAD
— Louis Beneventi (@Louis_Beneventi) March 31, 2019
Luca Zidane in goal for Real Madrid today.
— Kay Murray (@KayLMurray) March 31, 2019
His coach ("no, I am your father") Zinedine Zidane did say he would be using all three of his goalkeepers in this final stretch of the season.
Zinedine Zidane's second spell in charge of Real Madrid:
— bet365 (@bet365) March 31, 2019
Game one - Drops Thibaut Courtois to the bench, starts Keylor Navas.
Game two - Drops Keylor Navas to the bench, leaves Thibaut Courtois out of the squad completely, starts Luca Zidane.
Zinedine Zidane has started his 20-year-old son Luca Zidane in goal v Huesca and, not even ten minutes in, they're 1–0 down. "Cheers, Dad." https://t.co/kfbFTFlMNl
— MUNDIAL (@MundialMag) March 31, 2019