Real Madrid remain alive in the race for La Liga.
Despite defeat against Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday resulting in more doubts about the team, Carlo Ancelotti’s men resurfaced to convincingly beat Girona 3-0 away from home on Saturday.
The game started well for a home side that had accumulated four chances in a dominant first half-hour, but Madrid opened the scoring in the 36th minute thanks to the outstanding Jude Bellingham. From then on, Los Blancos had more space up front and took advantage: Arda Guler’s 55th-minute strike and Kylian Mbappe’s in the 62st minute sealed the victory.
“Well, maybe you (journalists) have killed us before our time. I think the team is fine, it’s going to fight for everything throughout the season. I’m telling you: we’re going to go for everything,” vice-captain Lucas Vazquez said in the mixed zone after the match.
After Barcelona drew 2-2 against Real Betis on Saturday, Madrid, on 36 points and with a game in hand, could go top of La Liga if they beat Rayo Vallecano on December 14.
Understandably, the team left the Estadi Montilivi satisfied and confident. Guillermo Rai analyses an important victory for Madrid in Girona…
Bellingham steps up in Vinicius Junior’s absence
Though he only played 60 minutes, Bellingham was rightfully named man of the match after unsettling his opponents from the very start of the game.
In the absence of the injured Vinicius Junior, Ancelotti gave the Englishman freedom from the midfield — a role that allowed him to make surprise moves into the box, just as he did against Athletic Bilbao when he scored. However, Saturday’s goal was more difficult as there were several Girona defenders in the penalty area.
“We are very happy with Jude’s game. He’s an all-round midfielder, now he’s adding goals and assists which gives us confidence. He’s an incredible player who brings us both in attack and defence,” said Vazquez.
When they struggled the most, Madrid relied on the midfielder who has now scored in five consecutive games for the first time in his top-flight career, a streak that is beginning to resemble that of last season when he finished as Madrid’s top scorer in La Liga.
But his attacking contribution didn’t stop with the goal. It was his pinpoint pass into space that set up Guler and, on an impressive evening, Bellingham had three key passes, completed 31 of 36 passes, won two ground duels and made one dribble.
“Playing with Jude is incredible, it’s a pleasure every single time,” Mbappe said.
Just before he was substituted, Bellingham suffered an overload in his left leg, according to club sources who spoke on the condition of anonymity to protect their positions. But during his press conference, Ancelotti was positive of the midfielder’s chances of playing in forthcoming games, saying: “He’s fine, it was a bit of tiredness. He’s fine, he’s available.”
Flashes of Mbappe at his best
Slowly, Mbappe is finding his best level and inside Madrid there is confidence he will gradually regain the confidence he lost in Paris and become one of the club’s leaders.
The Frenchman initially looked unsettled, likely because he was again playing as a No 9 in the middle of the attack, and again it was difficult to see how he could lead the pressure without the ball. To make matters worse, in one of Madrid’s first dangerous moves, the Frenchman stumbled over the ball, causing laughter among the home fans who ostensibly jeered him.
But Mbappé responded. With more space between the lines, he gradually began to look more comfortable during the second half. In the 63rd minute, Mbappe received a great pass from Luka Modric and scored at an almost impossible angle. From that moment on, he grew in confidence and nearly scored his second in another similar move on the counter-attack only for Paulo Gazzaniga to pop up.
“I try to play every game with personality and help the team to win,” Mbappe revealed after the match on the club’s official TV channel.
So far, Mbappe has 12 goals in all competitions and alongside Vinicius Jnr is the team’s top scorer.
“It’s very good for Kylian. Little by little, we’re seeing the best Kylian and we’re going to enjoy him a lot. The important thing is that he keeps getting chances and, with the head he has, he’s going to keep scoring a lot of goals,” Lucas added.
Guler eases the pressure
If there was one thing Guler needed to improve, it was his work in defence. Against Girona, the Turkish midfielder realised that he needed to help Vazquez at right-back as Girona’s attacking full-back Miguel Gutierrez — for whom Madrid still retain 50 per cent rights of his rights — and winger Bryan Gil kept Madrid subdued down the left flank in the early stages.
During the match, Ancelotti insisted that Guler pressed hard. Indeed, he was the player Ancelotti seemed to keep an eye on the most. But the Italian’s insistence paid off as the Turkey international ended up making two clearances inside the box and won four duels, in addition to scoring his first goal of the season.
“It took him a little while to get into the game. (Even though) he worked hard, he wasn’t accurate in the first half,” said Ancelotti. “What I want to highlight is his work, he runs a lot, he helps the team.
“The goal takes a bit of pressure off him; he’s a young player with a lot of pressure around him and it’s good for him to take it off a bit.”
Guler has started three of Madrid’s last five games. “The affection of the fans gives me confidence in myself. I try to give my best in every game to repay their affection. I try to give everything for Real Madrid,” Guler said.
Team for Champions League tie shaping up
Aside from Bellingham’s discomfort, the other negative from the victory was the twinge in Ferland Mendy’s right thigh.
Madrid said on Sunday the player had suffered a muscle injury to his right quadriceps — but soon after the game Ancelotti had already ruled him out of the Champions League match against Atalanta on December 10.
However, Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo will be available. Rodrygo surprisingly dropped out of the squad against Girona at the last minute. The Athletic understands the Brazilian did not play against Getafe last week when fully recovered and this week suffered his third muscle injury of the season.
“He wasn’t feeling well, so we preferred to leave him in Valdebebas to work. I think he will be ready for Tuesday,” said Ancelotti.
But for both Vinicius and Rodrygo, it is still likely too soon for them to start against Atalanta. In addition, Ancelotti rested two men highly valued by the coaching staff who could be key in the Champions League match: Raul Asencio and Dani Ceballos.
Ancelotti could also once again opt for Aurelien Tchouameni at centre-back, just as he did against Girona, where the Frenchman gave one of his best performances.
With that in mind, the manager could play a 4-2-3-1 system again, with the following players: Thibaut Courtois; Fran Garcia; Aurelien Tchouameni, Antonio Rudiger, Lucas Vazquez; Fede Valverde, Dani Ceballos; Luka Modric, Jude Bellingham, Brahim Diaz; Kylian Mbappe.
(Top photo: David Ramos/Getty Images)
