Endrick stole the show from Kylian Mbappé’s debut at the Santiago Bernabéu, on the day that Real Madrid failed to clear up the doubts with a deceptive 3-0 against Valladolid, thanks to the hunger of his second unit and after an initial act of blocking, from which Fede Valverde saved a set piece before Brahim and the debut goal of the young 18-year-old Brazilian striker, changed the ending of the reigning champion of the EA Sports League of Spanish football.
In the background, with a lesser role, still without minutes until the 86th minute of the third game of the season, Endrick charmed the Bernabéu, who were quick to chant his name. A few minutes were enough for him on Mbappé’s day to provide the finishing touch that the starting trident lacked. He shamelessly knocked down the door of a stadium where he had already won over fans wearing the Brazil shirt.
The name that has been repeated the most in Real Madrid’s start to the season, even above the much-desired Mbappé, is Toni Kroos. A bad sign. It will be difficult to see a Real Madrid that is more unsuccessful than the one that was launched in the first half at the Santiago Bernabéu. Static, without ideas, imprecise. Expressing everything that they should not do against a well-positioned rival like a Valladolid that took a while to suffer.
A newly promoted team sent out a warning at the Santiago Bernabéu simply by putting things in order. A bigger rival destroyed the indifference of a Real Madrid that deliberately extinguished the expectation generated on Mbappé’s first day. The apathy of the collective was on the verge of ruining a day so eagerly awaited by the Frenchman, who did not stop making runs and trying, with the will that others lacked.
More details about the game
The collective has been forgotten, based on individual actions with little scope. With Vinícius strangely subdued, not even facing Luis Pérez’s marking, and Rodrygo waging war on his own. Although the root of the moment of difficulty that this new Real Madrid of Ancelotti is going through lies in the midfield. Tchouaméni unproductive in the central midfield, Fede Valverde disconnected from the role assumed by Kroos and Güler, the surprise of ‘Carletto’, as willing as he was unsuccessful in the construction.
The result was a Real Madrid that from the start did not know whether to play long balls to Mbappé’s movements – the one who read him best was Rüdiger and so Kylian hooked a volley that Hein saved in two steps – or to link up with short balls. For that, movement and speed in possession were needed. An impossible task in the mental block of the first half, with more of a summer game rhythm under the August heat at five in the afternoon.
Uruguayan Paulo Pezzolano had made changes to his starting eleven, thinking of a direct duel in the middle of the week against Leganés, and his players stood up to the challenge at the Bernabéu. Comfortable with a five-man defence in the defensive phase. Never taking a step forward so as not to revive Real Madrid by leaving spaces. Their offensive power was reduced. Just a right-footed cross from Machis close to Courtois’ post.
The Madrid team’s disarray was born from the pressure. At the urging of Mbappé, in total disharmony. Ancelotti chewed his anger to the rhythm of the handful of chewing gum that was running out in his pocket. In the jam, desperation appeared, expressed in long shots into nothingness from Tchouaméni first, then from Valverde.
Carletto’s anger at half-time partially improved the lack of fluidity in the game and overall the attitude. After the draw on loan in Mallorca, a second slip-up by the reigning champions would have opened an unexpected moment of doubt in a start against less demanding rivals. On paper because Real Madrid had to sweat to overcome Valladolid and did so from a set piece.
He emerged out of a desire to please Güler, who was not willing to let the opportunity pass him by in the absence of Jude Bellingham. The closer he got to the opponent’s area, the more his performance improved. He came up against Hein in an action that would be repeated on several occasions after Fede Valverde broke the game open.
Key play
From a foul on Vinícius on one of the few occasions he tried, far removed from his importance on the days when Real Madrid does not shine and assume responsibility, Valverde’s shot was born, allied with luck for the touch on Juric that moved it out of the goalkeeper’s reach.
It was a risky moment for the Pucela team, the possibility of breaking down if they stretched and left spaces for Mbappé to show his virtues. Güler was the one who best understood it, deserving the goal with his arrivals, but Courtois was not spared the usual scare of every match, saving the victory in a move with a quick exit against Meseguer, who found himself free of any marker due to a mistake by Carvajal.
The few opportunities that the Pucela team had had to be taken advantage of or it would be impossible to score. Raúl Moro, dynamic and skillful in every move, missed the second and Sylla, ten minutes from the end, made the last mistake for Real Madrid, when he was slow to finish and Militao pushed at the last moment. The improvement of the Brazilian is a consolation for Ancelotti, getting closer to his true identity, and being key in the final decision.
Endrick’s departure
‘Carletto’ had already joined his trident after the first great connection between Vinícius and Mbappé and a fantastic backheel shot that Hein took. ‘Vini’ was still surprised to see his number in the 85th minute to leave the field. It was not long before his compatriot Militao from the other end, with a long pass, found the quality of Brahim to chip in past the goalkeeper.
It was time for the hungry players and Endrick was given four final minutes plus six of added time to show that he is lethal.
Brahim led the counterattack, finding him on the edge of the area. He cut in with his left foot and whipped it into the net with his right foot. Real Madrid won 3-0 on a bad day at the office.
Madrid / EFE
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2024-08-26 10:38:09