Real Madrid scored three goals in the second half against Real Valladolid on Sunday afternoon.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side were denied a winning start to the new La Liga season when they faced Real Mallorca last weekend, but they have done their homework to claim success this time around.
Valladolid defended very well for about an hour of the contest, but could not maintain that intensity when they should have tried to get points.
How the game happened
Kylian Mbappe came close to his first La Liga goal on nine minutes when he fired a volley into the net, but Karl Hein – on loan from Arsenal – got down to make a fine save.
That was the only chance of a quiet first half as Valladolid defended well and stopped their hosts from many meaningful attacks.
But Valladolid’s resistance was broken shortly after the break. Vinicius Junior won a free-kick just outside the penalty area, and Federico Valverde’s shot deflected off Hein and into the far corner.
Madrid almost doubled their lead almost immediately with a quick break minutes later, with Arda Guler and Vinicius dominating the field before the Turkish star was blocked by Enzo Boyomo.
Valladolid, on the other hand, tried to claw their way back into the competition. Victor Meseguer managed to get away from Eder Militao after his first shot was blocked, before Thibaut Courtois’ cross was thwarted.
Guler’s other goal came and went when Vinicius again picked him out with a low cross, and this time his goal-scoring shot came out from behind for a corner. Soon after, he fired a shot past Fran Garcia that was held by Hein.
The Valladolid keeper was again worked by Guler when his shot from just inside the box took a nick off Boyomo’s ankle, although he still managed to change his feet and deny the Madrid man.
Mbappe should have had his first home goal for Madrid when Vinicius saw his run from six yards out, but he was denied by a smart save from Hein. The Frenchman then ran onto a corner counter before firing his shot wide for his final strike of the day.
With two minutes left, Madrid finally added their second goal. A wonderful long pass from Militao got past the Valladolid defense and found Brahim Diaz, who caught Hein with a superb half-volley.
There was still time for Madrid to score again, Brahim this time turning the onrushing Endrick, who beat Hein at close range with a powerful low drive.
GK: Thibaut Courtois – 6/10 – Predictably he didn’t have much to do between the sticks, but he didn’t put a foot wrong when called upon.
RB: Dani Carvajal – 6/10 – He has had a penchant for grabbing the headlines with his performances in recent months, so this was a below-par display by Carvajal’s standards. You don’t have to yell or scream at both.
CB: Eder Militao – 7/10 – He came up with the amazing help of Brahim during the day. No problem in the background.
CB: Antonio Rudiger – 6/10 – He continued to try to open up Valladolid with his good passing distance, especially creating the first chance of the game for Mbappe.
LB: Fran Garcia – 6/10 – The flight went forward on the left trying to attack the space, especially when Valladolid was chasing the goal.
CM: Aurelien Tchouameni – 6/10 – It kept things simple in the middle of the park, which Madrid deserved more as the game wore on and they got the opener.
CM: Federico Valverde – 8/10 – All-round performance on and off the field. He broke the Valladolid attack before he started and put Madrid away with a goal.
RW: Rodrygo – 5/10 – He came up with a good skill here and there but his final product was sorely lacking. He was not on the same wavelength as his attacking colleagues.
AM: Arda Guler – 7/10 – Good performance in the hole. He found it difficult to change space in the first half but managed to take control after a while until he was substituted. One day he would have had a goal in his name.
LW: Vinicius Junior – 7/10 – He lost early but extended the game with his speed and tactics. You will feel bad about not signing up for the vaccine.
CF: Kylian Mbappe – 6/10 – The woes that attacked Madrid at the beginning of the doors had nothing to do with Mbappe, who drew Valladolid to this place with his smart movement. He should have scored at least one of his chances and his wait for a La Liga goal continues.
What you are holding
SUB: Brahim Diaz (69′ for Guler) – 8/10 – A goal and an assist from the bench. It’s not bad.
SUB: Luka Modric (69′ for Rodrygo) – 6/10
SUB: Dani Ceballos (85′ for Vinicius) – 6/10
SUB: Endrick (86′ for Mbappe) – 8/10
Subs used: Andriy Lunin (GK), Fran Gonzalez (GK), Lucas Vazquez, Jacobo Ramon
The manager
Carlo Ancelotti – 8/10 – Madrid overcame their first half woes and fully deserved their win.
Best player – Federico Valverde
READ THE LATEST REAL MADRID NEWS, FOLLOW THE MASSES AND GOSSIP
Source link
