Real Madrid remain unbeaten, but don’t be fooled by the scoreline against Espanyol, this was no walk in the park.
After a lot of criticism for their style of play this season, Los Blancos recorded another win. This time it was 4-1 against Espanyol, who had started at the Santiago Bernabeu with a conservative five at the back.
Carlo Ancelotti rested first-choice players, such as Antonio Rudiger, Ferland Mendy and Vinicius Junior, and Madrid struggled for fluency.
Espanyol even took the lead in the 54th minute with an own goal from Thibaut Courtois, who miscued a seemingly harmless shot into his net.
The introduction of Vinicius Jr a minute later helped restore order. Dani Carvajal equalised before Rodrygo, Vinicius Jr and Kylian Mbappe gave the scoreline the look of a rout.
“This season, we have only scored one goal before half-time,” Ancelotti said after the game. “It’s striking. We’ve talked about it to see if it changes. But the fact we’ve gone 38 games without losing is also very good.”
With this win, Madrid remain in second place, just one point behind Barcelona, who could increase the gap to four points if they win away at Villarreal.
The Athletic analyses the talking points…
Tchouameni is back at centre-back — and looks at home
Ancelotti had warned that Militao and Rudiger would be rotated and here, Tchouameni replaced Rudiger, with the French midfielder impressing in the back line.
The opponents’ threat was minimal, but in the games against Real Sociedad and Stuttgart, Madrid conceded seven and six shots on goal.
For his part, Tchouameni did well in his position with little trouble and could not be blamed for Espanyol’s opener.
He made six ball recoveries and showed daring with a successful dribble and an attempted cross when he broke forward.
“He is a fantastic defensive pivot, but he has the structure of a centre-back, the ability to read situations well,” said Ancelotti, who did not want to admit publicly that he prefers Tchouameni as a centre-back rather than a midfielder.
But it is now clear to the coaching staff that he is the third centre-back in the rotation until David Alaba returns from long-term injury. He has played there more than a dozen times and there is every indication that he has a future at the back.
Luka Modric: Tireless
Modric’s role was once again crucial, with Espanyol showing little inclination to go on the front foot.
The 39-year-old Croatian completed the most passes for Real (85), the most in the final third (31), and attempted nine crosses.
He was particularly prolific in attack, looking to surprise the opposition defence with passes in behind. The biggest beneficiary was Mbappe, who came close to scoring the opening goal with a clear-cut assist from Modric, who created six chances, second only to Mbappe.
“How many times has he changed the dynamic? He always plays at his highest level, every game and every minute he plays,” Ancelotti said.
Almost a year ago, Modric lost his starting place after struggling against Atletico Madrid — Real’s last La Liga defeat — but he remains an important part of Ancelotti’s squad.
Because of the numerous absentees in midfield, Modric has started three of the last four games. He has no plans to retire anytime soon and is more than justifying Real’s decision to extend his contract into this season.
Rodrygo makes his point. Again
Nerves were building at the Bernabeu when they trailed and Ancelotti had to make a decision: who to replace to bring on Vinicius Jr?
Although he did not have a particularly good start, Rodrygo was not taken off — it was Arda Guler, who had combined well with Mbappe.
The decision proved Ancelotti right as Rodrygo made it 2-1 in the 75th minute after a superb cross pass into the box from Vinicius Jr.
The space in the box was skilfully exploited by Rodrygo, according to Ancelotti. “We have covered the area well despite not having a striker to fix the position. Rodrygo and Bellingham came on well.”
Outside the box, Rodrygo stood out for passes in the final third of the pitch, being the second-highest passer (with 22) after Modric.
Rodrygo’s work off the ball was also praised after the game and he was deserving of his man of the match award.
It is a recognition that will help him fight for his starting position now that Ancelotti is considering playing with only two strikers and Mbappe and Vinicius Jr theoretically have the advantage.
His more secondary role has increased doubts in the camp for Rodrygo, who has made several recent statements indicating his displeasure at not getting more recognition. The latest of these came after he was not among the 30 selected by French magazine France Football for the Ballon d’Or.
Bellingham has supported him on several occasions on social media and recently said: “Only fools miss the R” (in reference to the Spanish press saying BMV for Bellingham, Mbappe and Vinicius Jr when they talk about Madrid’s strikers and not Rodrygo).
But his last two performances against Stuttgart — when he provided an assist to Mbappe — and Espanyol have given him back some of the limelight. He is letting his football do the talking.
What’s next for Real Madrid?
Real are at home to Alaves on Tuesday, September 24, before the Madrid derby next week away to Atletico (September 29).
(Top photo: Rodrygo after scoring. Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)
