For the fourth day of LaLiga, Real Madrid welcome Real Betis to the Santiago Bernabéu. Ancelotti’s men won masterfully 2-0 against the Andalusians thanks to a double from Mbappé, who opens his account in La Liga and at the Bernabéu.
Scorer: Mbappé (67th, 75th) 2-0
Real Madrid starters
Courtois (6/10) : The Real Madrid goalkeeper had little work to do with only two saves to make. He protected his clean sheet from these rare opportunities and succeeded with his long clearances (4/5 successful).
Dani Carvajal (5/10) : The Real Madrid captain was present in the physical impact against Ez Abde but only won 3 duels out of 12 on his right wing. His axial repositioning on the restart helped Real Madrid to do better offensively, without him bringing as much as last season. He received an unfair yellow card in the second half.
Eder Militao (6/10) : At fault on Betis’ only dangerous opportunity, Militão still has room for improvement compared to his 2023 version. On the other hand, he almost scored with a nice header from a corner and was also imperial in the air with 75% of duels won.
Antonio Rudiger (6/10) : William José did not exist thanks to the work of the excellent German central defender. Rüdiger had a solid match, although the task was not too difficult against Real Betis.
Ferland Mendy (5/10) : Taken off by Carlo Ancelotti to favour the attack, the Frenchman showed his great defensive skills, with 100% of his duels won, as well as his offensive limitations, with 0 successful crosses during this match. He has a real problem understanding his positioning in relation to Vinicius Jr. in the last 30 metres.
Aurelien Tchouaméni (6/10) : A bit like his French teammate Mendy, Tchouaméni was flawless defensively with 10 duels won out of 11 while showing real defensive accuracy in midfield. The problem remains his far too numerous lateral passes which often give the opponent time to regroup after an excellent recovery on his part.
Federico Valverde (8/10) : If Fede Valverde did not exist, this Real Madrid would most certainly not have 8 points in 4 matches, but much less. His backheel, worthy of the greatest, allowed Real Madrid to save themselves from yet another flight in La Liga. This time, from Javier Alberola Rojas. If Mbappé had not scored a double, Valverde would have been our man of the matchas since the beginning of the season.
Dani Ceballos (5/10) : It was Carlo Ancelotti’s surprise, and he didn’t bring much more than that. Too bad, because he had been asking for opportunities for a long time, but he didn’t know how to seize them. We’ll see if the Italian calls on him again in the next matches.
Rodrygo (6/10) : This Sunday evening, Rodrygo was the most timid of the three for the first time this season in La Liga. He tried his things, without managing to be decisive. Despite everything, we still feel that he is as determined, especially when we see his seriousness on defensive retreats.
Kylian Mbappé (8/10) : Who said it was easy to make your mark in the biggest club in the world right from the start? Yes, Jude Bellingham did it, Cristiano Ronaldo did it too. But that’s also where we understand what monsters these two guys are.
The more time passes, the more the Frenchman gradually finds his marks. This Sunday evening, he was the most mobile and available player in the Madrid attack. Perhaps (surely) because the staff adjusted certain things tactically, notably the fact of being able to start from the left side in transition. Something that was not the case in the last three matches. So why is he still unable to finish? Most certainly because of a slight tension and impatience. No doubt, it will eventually happen. And when it does, be ready.
That was our half-time text. We said let’s leave him, he’s cool. And now that he’s scored twice, get ready. Because no one really is. See you in two weeks at the Reale Arena.
Vinicius Jr. (6/10) : Vini, Vidi, Vici? That was last year… And it’s not the case this season. On the other hand, the Brazilian has found the right path since we learned that he had cut his locks. We feel that he is much more focused and much less impatient. It’s a very good thing and that’s how Vini will become the best in the world again.
He will cause the penalty for 2-0 and let Kylian Mbappé take it. In the process, he will make a gesture to the referee asking him why he asked him to get up. Yes, because Vini is still as little protected by Spanish refereeing, unlike other players in other clubs.
Coach’s note:
Charles Ancelotti (5/10) : The Real Madrid coach continues to fumble to compensate for Jude Bellingham’s injury with a third different starter in as many games. Ceballos was the one who was voted in today, which did not fulfill the many tasks that Bellingham performs in each game. For the rest, Ancelotti made a winning change with the entry of Brahim to respond to a somewhat poor animation in midfield, especially in the first half.
Real Madrid substitutes
Brahim Diaz (came on in the 70th minute to replace Ceballos) 7/10 : It was on his first ball that the action of the first goal started. He also delivered a caviar to Endrick at the end of the match.
Fran Garcia (came on in the 70th minute to replace Mendy) 5/10 : A fairly neutral entry from the Spanish full-back of Real Madrid.
Luka Modric (came on in the 84th minute to replace Mbappé): Not rated.
Endrick (entered in the 89th minute in place of Rodrygo): Not rated.
Guillaume Pomade & Pablo Gallego
