Mbappé takes advantage of his opportunities at Real Madrid. But one blow was enough for Endrik.
Grigory Telingater August 25, 2024, 20:41 Moscow time Audio version: Your browser does not support the audio element.
Ancelotti’s team was not clear in the first half, but in the end they still destroyed their rival.
An incredible situation. In the Spanish Championship, Real Madrid and Valladolid faced each other when the Madrid club was lower in the table. Of course, this is only a second round match, but it is still unusual. That is why they especially expected a victory for Real. Losing points for the second round in a row (and even at home against a league newcomer) was completely indecent for the reigning Champions League winner. This trophy was handed over to the spectators before the match against Valladolid (Real’s first home game of the season).
Presentation of the current Champions League winner’s trophy
Photo: Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images
But the encounter with Real Madrid clearly did not go well. The first half was unimpressive. Neither team created a single real goal-scoring opportunity. Perhaps Mbappé’s shot from very close range in the 32nd minute. Although Real Madrid now have their main attacking trio with Kylian in the centre of the attack and Vinicius and Rodrigo on the flanks. Admittedly, Carlo Ancelotti still had to make several forced changes. Arda Guler replaced the injured Jude Bellingham and Francisco Garcia replaced the suspended Ferland Mendy.
At half-time it might seem that the substitution of Mbappé for Toni Kroos did not strengthen Real Madrid, but weakened them. The number of flaws in the programmes left doubts.
At the start of the second half, Real Madrid could still have opened the scoring. Just before the end of the match, Guler’s free kick helped. Federico Valverde approached the ball and, in a not so obvious situation, decided to shoot straight at goal. The ball went straight into the far corner.
It is true that in the replay it was clear that he touched one of the Valladolid defenders. And he only changed direction slightly, but it was enough for the goalkeeper to not be able to reach him.
Goal by Federico Valverde
Photo: frame from the broadcast.
After that, Real Madrid started to really have some chances. Guler had several good opportunities, but each time his shots were blocked. And in the 69th minute the Turk gave way to Luka Modric. Valladolid also had their moments, but the home side were much closer to the second goal than the guests were to the first. In the 79th minute, Mbappé wasted his great chance when he found the ball right in front of the goal, but he shot straight at the goalkeeper.
Despite Real’s good performance in the second half, the one-goal lead made them nervous for a long time. Especially when Mbappé missed another great opportunity. The home side’s victory was guaranteed by Brahim Diaz, who faced the goalkeeper and neatly fired it over. Well, Endrik scored the final point, elegantly turning away from his opponent and firing into the nearest corner: 3:0. Real Madrid prevented Barcelona and other rivals from collecting more than three points.
This is how the match ended for Real’s main rival:
Barça crushed Athletic even with the frenzy in the application. But what bad luck Lewandowski had!
