The match: Minimum service for Real
Faced with the formidable Villarreal team who were right on their heels in the standings, Real Madrid delivered a match without rhythm and without much flavor from which they emerged victorious thanks to two long-range strikes (2-0). It was Federico Valverde who quickly opened the scoring (1-0, 14th), with a powerful cross shot deflected by Alex Baena. The Uruguayan was, with Lucas Modric in the middle, the best player of the match, allowing the Merengues to have control over the game. Real did not do much because Vinicius and Mbappé were not not on a big night.
But after the Frenchman’s exit (71st), the Brazilian achieved a stroke of genius with a superb strike from 25 meters into the top corner (2-0, 73rd). Marcelino’s men were dangerous thanks to Nicolas Pepe, who hit the bar with his head (16th), but did not do enough to worry Carlo Ancelotti’s players. The French Ferland Mendy, Aurélien Tchouaméni and Eduardo Camavinga also started in this match. Real has returned to level with Barça at the top of the La Liga standings, pending the Catalans’ match this Sunday at Alavés.
The player: Mbappé not successful
Aligned at the forefront alongside Vinicius, who moved further to the left, Kylian Mbappé went through the match very discreetly. The French international, at the heart of an imbroglio since his non-call-up to the Blues, visibly had legs, because he did not hesitate in the calls and he showed an intact power of acceleration in a few situations. But the 25-year-old striker had difficulty using the ball, showing clumsiness in small spaces, but also in his positioning. He lit the first fuse of the match by missing his shot at the far post (5th), then only had one clear opportunity, on a counter with Vinicius, which saw him lose his face. face-to-face with Diego Conde (38th), the Villarreal goalkeeper. After twenty-five minutes of a frustrating second half, Mbappé was taken out by his coach, replaced by Rodrygo (71st).
