Real Madrid claimed their first win of the 2024/25 LaLiga season with a 3-0 victory against Valladolid at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. Carlo Ancelotti’s side knew how to win through individual effort, but despite the victory, the most notable thing was that Kylian Mbappé failed to score for the second consecutive game in the Spanish tournament.
For this game, The Italian coach started with his traditional 4-3-3, which he modified due to the suspension of Ferland Mendy, who was sent off in Mallorca. Jude Bellingham was also absent due to an injury that will keep him out of action for at least a month, so Fran García played at left-back and Arda Güler moved into midfield. Paulo Pezzolano used his best players in a complicated match for Valladolid.
Madrid won, but did not please
Ancelotti’s team showed for the second consecutive time that they have several problems. In the first half they did not live up to the expectations of this game and went into the break with a 0-0 score against an opponent who looked quite inferior, especially considering the big stars they have in Madrid. Mbappé only managed one shot in 45 minutes after a long pass from Rüdiger was stopped by the goalkeeper.
The Merengue team was once again without a key figure who could link the defense with the attack. The forwards were very passive and failed to reach the final lines on the flanks. The disappointment of the Merengue fans was so great that the players were booed at halftime. The game began to be decided in the 50th minute when Federico Valverde took a free kick that deflected and eventually hit the left post of Karl Hein’s goal.
The visitors were close to equalising but were unable to capitalise on their chances. The score was 2-0 for the Merengue team after Brahim Díaz outwitted the defenders and crossed in front of the Valladolid goalkeeper. In extra time, Endrick, who came on as a substitute for Mbappé, scored his first goal of the season with a right-footed shot to seal the final score.
Mbappé still without a goal in LaLiga
It is quite worrying that the star transfer of the summer in Europe, Kylian Mbappé has not scored a goal in the first two LaLiga games. Especially considering that they were two rivals that were quite accessible to the Merengues. The fact that the young Brazilian came in his place and scored the first goal must be a big blow for him.
This is undoubtedly good news for FC Barcelona and Robert Lewandowski, who is the tournament’s top scorer so far with three goals. He scored two of them on his debut against Valencia, and he also scored the winning goal against Athletic Bilbao. The sole leaders are Arnaut Danjuma (Villarreal), Iago Aspas (Celta) and Oihan Sancet (Athletic) with two each. The sole leaders are Arnaut Danjuma (Villarreal), Iago Aspas (Celta) and Oihan Sancet (Athletic) with two each. The Culé team is second in the table with 6 out of 6 possible points, Madrid is third with 4 points and is currently waiting for the end of the second matchday. Mbappé will have to improve over the next few days, because there are already four players from the white team who have scored goals in Spain this season and none of them is him.
Match details: Real Madrid – Valladolid 3:0
- Real Madrid: Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Rüdiger, Fran García; Tchouaméni, Fede Valverde, Güler; Rodrygo, Vinícius (Dani Ceballos, M.85), Mbappé (Endrick, M.86)
- Valladolid – Statistics & current form Hein; Luis Perez, Comert, Boyomo, Lucas Rosa; Ivan Sánchez, Juric, Kike Pérez, Marcos André, Meseguer, Machís.
- Referee: Victor Garcia Verdura
- Incidents: Match corresponding to the 2nd matchday of LaLiga EA Sports 2024-25
- Goals of the match: 1-0, Federico Valverde (50th minute); 2-0, Brahim Díaz (88th minute); 3-0 Endrick (Min.90+6)
