Falling to Inter Milan in the middle of the week despite an incomplete collective performance, Real Madrid had to relaunch in the championship this Saturday evening, during the 5th day. Defeated by Betis last weekend, the Merengues welcomed Rayo Vallecano to the Santiago Bernabéu. For this meeting, José Mourinho once again aligned his fantastic three, namely Vinicius Jr, Kylian Mbappé and Jude Bellingham. Little surprise? Yan Diomandé, who arrived this summer for a record transfer, started on the right. Opposite, Benat San José opted for a 4-3-3 where Tsitaishvili, Garcia and home scorer Camello started. Already forced to win to keep up with the crazy pace of rival Barcelona, the club chaired by Florentino Perez was having a difficult first few minutes. Jostled by the desire of the visitors and not really dangerous, Konaté’s teammates got their first scare from a strike from Tsitaichvili but Courtois intervened (9th).
And a few minutes later, Real finally took advantage of a strike from Carreras in the area to obtain a logical penalty after an illegal intervention by Lejeune. Without trembling, Mbappé opened the scoring and scored his 92nd goal in 109 matches with the Merengues (1-0, 14th). Released, the locals took advantage of a new opponent restart error to make the break straight away. Served by Mbappé, who cleverly saved, Carreras finished perfectly with a flat left foot (2-0, 17th). Dominant, Real continued its business and Vinicius Jr passed very close to the third goal but Audero pushed back with difficulty (25th). In great pain, Rayo tried to react but Camello fell on an imperturbable Courtois (27th). Solid defensively and sharp offensively, Real would, for their part, sting again.
Mbappé scorer and passer
If Diomandé, discreet at the start of the match, offered himself a first raid, it was Bellingham who participated in the party by clinically taking over a cross from Vinicius Jr, also very convincing (3-0, 35th). In demonstration, the Merengues wandered in the defense of the White and Red but the scoreboard no longer evolved before the break despite another huge opportunity where Mbappé found the post (45 + 1st). Upon returning from the locker room, the appearance of this meeting completely changed. Technically superior, never worried defensively and inspired collectively during the first act, Real panicked at the start of the second half. After Camavinga entered the midfield, Diaz released a nice shot from the right but his attempt hit the post of Courtois (47th). If Mbappé then came close to the double (48th), Rayo finally reduced the score. On a very poorly adjusted back pass from Vinicius, Camavinga could not get hold of the leather and Camello took the opportunity to deceive the Merengue goalkeeper at close range (3-1, 51st).
Distraught, Real put itself in danger and displayed a much less serene face, like this new attempt by Lejeune diverted by Courtois (55th). Active this Saturday evening, Vinicius Jr continued, despite everything, to put Ratiu through an ordeal but his shot narrowly escaped the target (59th). In the last half hour, the Madrilenians were still suffering, Tsitaichvili stood out (62nd, 63rd), the whistles of the Madrid public were heard again but José Mourinho’s men preserved the essentials. On a free kick from new entrant Güler, Dumfries even thought of relieving his team but Audero made a classy save (77th). In the final moments, the Rayo goalkeeper shone again against Güler (81st) then Mbappé (83rd) but lost one last time to a perfect cross strike from the captain of the Blues (4-1, 90+1). With this logical victory (4-1), Real Madrid offers itself three precious points and returns to the level of Barça at the top of La Liga. For its part, Rayo fell to 15th place.
