Real Madrid got back to winning ways in La Liga on Saturday, but only just.
Real Sociedad came close to taking the lead on three occasions, but Madrid survived. And Carlo Ancelotti’s team didn’t let the opportunity pass them by at the Reale Arena, scoring two goals — both from penalties — in the second half, the first from Vinicius Junior and the second from Kylian Mbappe.
However, the second goal was not without controversy as there were doubts about the referee’s decision to award a foul against Donostia defender Jon Aramburu on Vinicius.
Even former Madrid player Takefusa Kubo (now at Real Sociedad) questioned it after the game: “I’m really pi**ed off… the second penalty… what I want is an explanation.”
For his part, Ancelotti said he had not seen the incident, but was surprisingly honest: “It was a complicated game. We probably didn’t deserve to win.”
Nevertheless, the Italian coach appeared satisfied at the press conference. Returning from the international break and with five important injured players, Madrid managed to maintain their positive run of results to move, temporarily at least, into second place with 11 points — one behind Barcelona, who visit Girona on Sunday.
There is still plenty of room for improvement, but the game in San Sebastian brought positives. The Athletic takes a look at the key talking points.
Kylian Mbappe is beginning to take hold of the team
After a rather slow start, the 25-year-old French striker getting to grips with his role with the team.
In six games for Real Madrid, Mbappe has already scored four goals and against Real Sociedad he picked up his second consecutive man-of-the-match trophy.
“I see him fresher, more active, when he has the ball he is very dangerous, he is combining well with Vinicius and with the strikers, he is improving a lot, yes, I liked his game a lot,” Ancelotti said when asked by The Athletic.
Before making it 2-0 in the 74th minute, Mbappé had two great chances in the first half after dribbling his way past his opponents. The France international was involved in neat inside lane play and created another chance as a result.
When the first penalty was awarded, he gave it to Vinicius. But it was his turn with the second and after scoring he went to celebrate with Brahim — who had been substituted with adductor discomfort.
Despite playing as the focal point of the attack, Mbappe misplaced just four passes out of a possible 23 and added to that a good defensive effort with three recoveries.
“I’m getting better every game. Every game I understand better what the team, my teammates and the coach need,” Mbappe told Real Madrid TV after the match.
Before leaving the pitch, a teenager jumped up to meet him. A member of security chased him away, but Mbappe made a gesture of protecting him and taking a selfie with him. It was the finishing touch to another profitable night for Madrid’s new No 9, who is already looking forward to Tuesday’s Champions League match with Stuttgart, telling the club’s TV channel: “I came to Madrid to experience this kind of night. I’m not going to stop laughing.”
Madrid escape punishment for a lack of control in midfield
Madrid headed home with three points but that was largely because luck was on their side.
Luka Sucic (twice) and Sheraldo Becker came close to putting the home side ahead, but on all three occasions they came up against the woodwork when Thibaut Courtois was beaten.
The Belgian goalkeeper also had to make two saves, one of which left him in discomfort. That was how demanding Real Sociedad were with the game at 0-0 and Madrid unable to find fluency.
“You can still tell they are missing Toni Kroos. There is no one like him in there now” a Real Sociedad player — who preferred to remain anonymous to protect relationships — told The Athletic after the match. It is a theory that was confirmed by a member Madrid’s coaching staff, who also had to contend with the absences of Aurelien Tchouameni, Dani Ceballos, Eduardo Camavinga and Jude Bellingham.
To make matters worse, Brahim Diaz was injured in the 23rd minute and had to be replaced by Rodrygo Goes. As a result, Madrid had to switch from a formation with four midfielders to three and suffered many turnovers.
Between Eder Militao (13) and Antonio Rudiger (seven) alone, Ancelotti’s team lost the ball 20 times in their own half.
“Modric, Valverde and Arda (Guler) have done a very good job, which I value very much,” said Ancelotti, clearly relieved to see his side keep a clean sheet.
However, at certain times, the midfield trio were unable to keep the team defensively and offensively cohesive.
The situation should improve next week — when Bellingham and Tchouameni are expected to return — but, as many have spotted, Madrid continue to miss the experience and control of Kroos.
A mixed night for Vinicius Junior
Vinicius scored and was decisive for Madrid, but once again he attracted criticism.
After beating Alex Remiro from the penalty spot, the Brazil international shushed the stands at the Reale Arena. There had been no major confrontations earlier in the match, but the crowd then booed him and started chants of ‘silly, silly.’
Ancelotti preferred not to respond when asked if he thought his player’s gesture was right: “I don’t have an opinion on this, everyone has their own opinion and I prefer to keep it to myself.
Stationed as usual on the left flank, Vinicius’ crossing and dribbling was underwhelming and he did not manage to get a shot on target in open play. In fact, all four of his efforts were blocked by the Real Sociedad defence.
The winger was diligent in defence and made two recoveries, as well as winning the Madrid’s second penalty, but it was definitely not a complete game from the Brazilian.
“He’s not at his best, but he’s still very important for us,” Ancelotti acknowledged before the trip to San Sebastian.
In total, Vinicius has scored two goals and provided three assists in the opening weeks of the season, after a summer which was marked by transfer interest from Saudi Arabia and a recent CNN interview about racism.
(Header photo: Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
