Real Madrid are up to 2nd in the La Liga standings after a 4-1 victory over Rayo Vallecano on Saturday, with goals from Kylian Mbappe (x2), Alvaro Carreras and Jude Bellingham. Jose Mourinho’s side were made to work for their win, especially in the second half, but it was a job well done in front of their supporters.
Is Vinicius Junior trying too hard to appease Real Madrid fans?
One goal and three assists to start the season is not a bad return from Vinicius Junior, but it looks worse when compared against Real Madrid’s other big players – namely Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham. On top of this, the Real Madrid fans inside the Bernabeu have been on his back since the start of the season, and he’s yet to produce a performance that can put them in their place.
Advertisement
He’s tried to do it on Saturday, almost too much. There were certainly moments when he tried to force things, and it appears that the fans’ whistles are getting to him. It’s important that he takes the pressure off himself in the coming weeks, and he will need Mourinho to help him with that.
Yan Diomande will surely come good
Diomande has had to be patient since joining Real Madrid in the summer, but he finally made his first start against Rayo – and it was a chance that he took. The Ivorian winger was mightily impressive in the first half, both in defence and attack, and this will have greatly pleased Mourinho.
He should have gained a lot of confidence from his performance, and he can look to build on this in the coming weeks. It will be tough to carry the burden of a €140m price tag, but if he doesn’t feel the pressure too much, he can definitely come good.
Advertisement
Bernardo Silva gives Mourinho food for thought
Eyebrows were raised when Real Madrid opted to sign Silva in the summer, but Mourinho’s decision to explore a move for the veteran midfielder is starting to pay dividends. Against Rayo, he was the build-up man, and it was a role that he looked good in.
At this stage, it is unlikely that Silva will be given a starting role when Real Madrid play their bigger matches, with Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni likely to be preferred. However, the Portuguese is making his case to be counted on, and if he keeps up his good form, Mourinho would have a decision to make.
Real Madrid don’t have the players to control big matches
The last two matches (vs Inter Milan and Rayo) have shown that Real Madrid will struggle to control matches for large parts. In both fixtures, their opponents had large spells where they were on top, and while this is a concern for Mourinho, it is simply a case of where the squad is right now.
Advertisement
Had Rodri been signed, Real Madrid would be in a much better place to control matches, but they are better suited for high-octane football, both in and out of possession. They have lightning pace to get at teams, while Mourinho has got them pressing well in defence. In essence, this could serve them well in the Champions League, although they must be better in defence going forward.
Alvaro Carreras is perfect backup to Marc Cucurella
There were doubts about Carreras’ future when Cucurella was signed in the summer, especially with Mourinho reportedly having doubts about the former Manchester United and Benfica man. Those would only have increased during the opening matches of the season when he struggled, but he was back to his best against Rayo.
As far as being an understudy goes, he should be very good for Real Madrid. They cannot rely on Cucurella to start all the time, and as the Rayo match showed, Carreras can come in and make a positive impact.
Read the full article here