The referee Martínez Munuera, a prominent exponent of negreirato 2.0, achieved a valuable draw in Vallecas. He was helped by a Madrid determined to destroy their own offensive merits with enormous defensive errors.
Ancelotti’s lineup presented one of those novelties that stimulate the protester, like the presence of Güler. His own position and those of Brahim and Rodrygo remained to be elucidated, with the intuition that the Brazilian would be a false nine. The bench had illustrious players such as Vinícius, the recovered Camavinga or the reborn Ceballos. No matter how prone Carlo is to rotations, the imminence of the Intercontinental demanded reserves of personnel. In a declaration of intentions that was less premonitory than desired, Arda Güler tried to score from the very same kick-off, in an attempt (failed) that we did not remember having seen in our long history of being fans.
Nothing happened. Only one of the darkest episodes of the negreirato was sealed
However, the one who surprised was Rayo. The skilled De Frutos did what he wanted with Fran García on the wing that faced them, and Unai López headed his cross without anyone agreeing to go down and mark him. Minute 6, 1-0, and opening nerves to mark the match from the Madrid perspective.
Madrid’s tactical organization was not what was previously predicted. The false nine was for Brahim, with a line of three behind: Rodrygo on the left, Güler on the right and Bellingham in the center, although with the required mobility. The game had been in Mandarin Chinese from the beginning, and dynamism seemed crucial to come back. However, the one who had it after ten minutes was once again Rayo, although De Frutos sent it to the clouds.
Madrid reacted with a good team play that almost led to Rodrygo’s goal, but Batalla stopped his angled shot. Real tried to establish their dominance, but the intensity of the white and red team prevented it, including aggressiveness in fouls. The rayistas climbed into their beards with pure nerve. Even the locals protested a possible penalty from Rüdiger in his spirited harassment. Carletto’s pupils were missing a competitive tension equal to that of their rivals. Possession was theirs, but the locals created a greater sense of danger in their approaches, always dominated by a brutal pace of play.
After half an hour came the best chance so far for the Madridistas. A great incursion by Rodrygo on the left ended in a long cross that Lucas put to Bellingham to finish, but Güler stepped forward to throw a ball wide that was not for him.
However, the one who scored was, incredibly, Rayo, in a corner embarrassingly defended by the white defense. Isi Palazón shot very well from the corner, and finished completely alone Mumin. It should be punished with the greatest severity that the best team in the world could concede such innocent goals, as it should also be rewarded that there are players capable of scoring the goal through which Madrid closed the gap. Valverde hit him with all his soul, scoring one of the goals of the season. Nobody throws from distance like him.
In the 42nd minute, Munuera, Negreira’s illustrious successor, swallowed a penalty like a cathedral on Güler. Sometimes we forget that we play against what we play, and reporters like the signatory fall into the temptation of trying to analyze things as if they were normal.
But Madrid is what it is and loves vertigo. A magnificent cross from a restless Rodrygo was headed into the net by Bellingham. The Englishman’s seventh goal in seven consecutive matches and in seven shots on goal. His header was unappealable, as the classics said.
Madrid intensified its dominance at the beginning of the second half, although without creating clear chances until Rodrygo produced another of the night’s wonders. The Brazilian hit it after feinting in front of him and, although the ball lightly grazed Ratiu, his shot was a technical marvel. 2-3 from the 20th, in a new example of the legendary Viking love for comebacks.
Óscar Valentín and Sergio Camello joined Íñigo’s side, while Camavinga, Ceballos and Vini warmed up in the Carlettista ranks without the coach deciding to bring them on, although Modric showed signs of fatigue in a game that could be improved by the Croatian. The substitute, however, was Brahim to bring on Vini, received with whistles.
Madrid, however, seems determined to never embrace solvency. Lejeune shot from distance, and Isi Palazón stood in the path of the ball to put the toe in front of Courtois and establish the 3-3. Start again and thank you, because Pedro Díaz almost scored with a low shot.
The game was an absurd and entertaining bullfight for the neutral. Camavinga entered the field to replace Modric. The feeling was that anything could happen, including a new penalty missed against Real Madrid, this time on Vini. It is not understood that the Madrid players do not protest in these situations, leaving us alone preaching in the desert to those of us who condemn negreirato 2.0.
Endrick and Ceballos entered. Batalla made a huge save from Vinícius’ shot. It was the 84th minute and it still seemed like anything could happen. Rayo stretched with praiseworthy vigor, although dominance continued to be Madrid’s. Rüdiger almost scored a header from Vinícius to Fran García’s cross, and Endrick’s shot with his back to goal, a few minutes later, was saved by Batalla.
Nothing else happened. Only one of the darkest episodes of the negreirato was sealed.
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