As of September 1, the Bernabéu ruminates as his team goes into the break with a goalless draw against Betis. There are certain whistles in the stands, a murmur that can be felt in the atmosphere from the first minutes. Once again that lethargic Madrid, in which the pressure in the opposing field is an individual race for each player as if they were competing in the 100 meters, in which Seven defend and three attackin which the corners are taken by Rodrygo and in very little time the opponent is presented in his own area. This Madrid is as strange as those kids who go to the pool and the beach with underwear under their swimsuits.
As rare as a footballer who guarantees you fifty goals per season It took three and a half games to uncork the bottle. Mbappé needed fourteen shots on goal to open his scoring account, but let’s see who is the handsome one who stops him now. A double of his prevented Ancelotti from He went to the break with his tie closer to his Adam’s apple than to his chest..
That doesn’t mean he doesn’t have work to do. First of all, defensive work. Ancelotti managed to convince the BBC that to win titles you had to go back and defend. Historic 0-4 against Pep’s Bayern in Munich It wouldn’t have been possible if Bale, Benzema and Cristiano hadn’t been sweating running back. At the moment, Vinicius, Rodrygo and Mbappé don’t show much willingness. They’ll see. It’s impossible to lift trophies in modern football. If 30% of the team defends with their eyesa.
Betis broke the ice at the Bernabéu with a header from Ruibal after ten minutes. Shot over the bar. He had no more dangerous chances in the first half, but he didn’t suffer either. Only Mbappé’s runs into space minimally altered Pellegrini’s rhythm, who is not exactly the most expressive coach in the world. The Frenchman tried from the right and left. Also from the center, but there was always a leg of a Betis fan in between so that his shot did not reach the goal. It was just a matter of time.
The best chance for Madrid was a header from Militao that bounced right in front of Rui Silva. He saved it in two steps. It was precisely with Eder that Ancelotti spent a few seconds during the hydration break, but the game was so flat that the fans took their eyes off the field and took them to the 360 video scoreboard. There was Bellingham, from his private box, sending a kiss to Madrid fansHis loss and that of Camavinga hurt like that summer love that ends with the return to school.
The big news in Ancelotti’s eleven was Ceballos’s entrance. He was on the way out in the last days of the transfer market, with Betis among his suitors, and Ancelotti promising him minutes. So far, 66 against his former team, but of improvable performance. A lot of fighting, but little participation in the build-up and several unforced errors in your own half that cost you an elimination in a Champions League tie.
In the second half, as against Valladolid, Madrid stepped up a couple of gears and Betis stretched out with the Entry of Vitor Roque and Cardoso. So the game could only get better, and it did. Vini hit the post and Courtois had to stop two shots from the Andalusians. Betting on a 0-0 draw was a waste of money. Congratulations to those who did not fall into the temptation.
It was in the 67th when Mbappé got rid of all his demons. Rodrygo on the right, Valverde’s backheel from the edge of the areaVinicius’s misunderstanding – he was offside – and Kylian’s left-footed finish. The assist was better than the shot, but the symbolic aspect was out of place. The Bernabéu collapsed. Finally. 1-0. ‘Kiki’ goal.
Eight minutes later, the VAR gave the green light to a penalty by Rui Silva on Vinicius. While Alberola I looked at the monitor, the Brazilian told Mbappé that it was his turn. Strong and to the left of the Portuguese goalkeeper. 2-0, double and three points. The shell has broken. And the bug comes hungry.
