Real Madrid continue to rush through the Spanish league. In the derby against Atlético, the team celebrates the sixth win in the sixth game and inspires with merciless effectiveness. The goals of the “Royal” are played out in an outstanding way.
The fact that Carlo Ancelotti might face a problem in the coming weeks will hardly make Carlo Ancelotti lift his legendary eyebrow. Because the situation is yes: Even without star striker Karim Benzema (injured), things are going very well for Real Madrid. In the heated city derby against Atletico, Rodrygo (18th) and Federico Valverde (36th) scored the goals to make it 2-1. Mario Hermoso shortened too late for the hosts (83rd). Hermoso was sent off with a yellow card in injury time.
But the story of this game is different. The story revolves around the ruthless efficiency with which Los Blancos decide games in the absence of their world-class striker from France. The reigning Champions League winners were not the better team against the Rojiblancos. It even took a bit of luck not to fall behind. But just seconds after a powerful long-range shot from Geoffrey Kondogbia went just wide of Thibaut Courtois’ goal, Real struck. And how.
Federico Valverde worked his way through midfield, played the ball out to the left and from there he found Aurélien Tchouaméni’s foot. And what the French newcomer then did with the play equipment was the highest art. Almost from the start, he chipped the ball so perfectly over the defense that Rodrygo hardly had any trouble making it 1-0. He pushed in from six meters. But that goal, they all knew, came from Aurélien Tchouaméni, who joined from AS Monaco for €80m before the season and now has the daunting task of replacing the departed Six-man legend Casemiro at Real.
For years, the Brazilian was an indispensable part of the royal directing department alongside Toni Kroos and Luka Modric. Now (well, he’s not a regular yet) he’s playing for Manchester United. The fact that they didn’t quarrel with Madrid for long about losing Casemiro is precisely because they got Tchouaméni. The renovation of the center is progressing. With Eduardo Camavinga, Real has had a talent since last season who should and will take on the role of playmaker in the future. But there are still Kroos. And Modric. And no matter how many swansongs have been sung, they deliver. On and on.
Modric, for example, prepared the 2-0. And how. So wonderful again. Vinicius Junior picks up the pace on the left, lays it down to Modric, who plays a razor-sharp one-two through the Atletico collective. Vinicius is through alone, fails the post, the ball rolls through the goal area before Valverde rushes in and scores. Like Rodrygo, the Uruguayan has scored for the third time this season. The real offensive rolls – even without Benzema. Without the man who is the top favorite for the world footballer election this year. A problem for Ancelotti? Well, he’ll just take note of the comfortable one for now.
After the game, Atletico coach Diego Simeone of all people came out as a fan of the royal team. The Real Total portal quotes him as saying: “Real Madrid defends very well, runs little, closes the spaces, attacks on the counter. I like a team like that. Their penetrating power is incredible. To see a team that defends so deeply and then countering like that is wonderful.” In this case, however, wonderfully painful for the rojiblancos. For Real it was the sixth win in the sixth game. This leaves Los Blancos the only clean sheet in La Liga. Two points behind the royals is FC Barcelona with Bayern Munich’s ex-star Robert Lewandowski after a 3-0 (2-0) win over FC Elche.
Meanwhile, some Atletico fans caused a scandal. As videos circulating on social media show, Vinicius Junior was racially insulted again. Among other things, he was insulted as a monkey. This continues the story that Pedro Bravo, President of the Spanish Association of Football Agents, recently raved about in the well-known sports program “El Chiringuito” about the happy dances that the 22-year-old Vinicius performed after scoring goals. “Anyone who wants to dance samba should go to the sambodrome in Rio. Here (in Spain) you have to respect your fellow players and stop making a fool of yourself,” he rumbled. Before the derby, Atlético captain Koke had warned: “If he scores a goal and dances (…) there will definitely be trouble.” PSG star Neymar, on the other hand, encouraged his compatriot: “Dance, Vini.” He did. First on the left – and then together with his colleagues who scored the goals.
