Madrid sealed the deal against Rayo quickly, in a blazing first half hour from their stars. Mbappé, from a penalty, Carreras, and Bellingham, the latter after an assist from Vinicius, closed the win with a great start. The Whites went from more to less, Camello brought Vallecas closer and caused some whistles in a nervous Bernabéu, but Mbappé scored again to complete the victory.
Mourinho spoke before the match about bringing in “new energy” to his lineup and he did just that. Rüdiger, Carreras, Bernardo, and Diomande appeared, starting for the first time after a month. Madrid has Elche and Atlético ahead before the break, and the Portuguese coach needs depth in his squad.
With the constant buzz of the team’s off-field problems and injuries, Rayo failed and allowed too much to a Madrid that smelled blood very early. In the 11th minute, Carreras reached a ball inside the area before Lejeune, and the defender fouled the fullback. A clear penalty that Mbappé converted by deceiving Audero. A goal to accelerate the feelings. As if that wasn’t enough, Carreras and Mbappé would repeat protagonism a few minutes later.
Lejeune, again, failed when trying to pass a ball to Audero, Vinicius picked up the ball, and the rebound ended with Carreras, who combined with Mbappé for a quick one-two that the Galician finished off in front of the Vallecano goalkeeper.
Madrid showed some similarity in their plan to the Inter day. Mbappé, Vinicius, Diomande, and Bellingham chose moments to press the opponent’s build-up, more individually than as part of a collective plan, and it worked. Rayo trembled at the start of their plays and the Whites found their chances there. In the 35th minute, Vinicius started down the left wing, passed to the center of the area to the arrival of Bellingham, and the Englishman volleyed the third. Madrid’s three stars combined to close the night at the half-hour mark. These are the fleeting appearances of this constellation, capable of finishing off their rival in a flash and then fading away, as in Sevilla.
From more to less
The context of Mourinho’s team remains complicated, because they dominate matches through pure, individual talent rather than through joint management of the duel. That serves them to be superior in most matches, but when difficult moments come and the talent doesn’t show up, neither does a general idea.
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For that reason, and because of the slight relaxation in the final stretch of the first half, Rayo had their moments. Courtois had to stretch several times, although in the other area Mbappé hit the post to equalize the attempts.
At halftime, Mourinho left Valverde in the locker room thinking about Elche and brought Camavinga onto the field, always under scrutiny. A minute in, a shot from Pedro Díaz hit the post from outside the area. Five minutes after the restart, a goal from Camello, another one for an outstanding start to the season for the forward, who already has six goals.
As said. Madrid, superior on the scoreboard, completely ceded possession to Rayo, something that quickly impatiented a Bernabéu that remains in a constant state of agitation. The team split in two between the two forwards (Mbappé and Vinicius) and the rest, and the atmosphere soured. The Whites are unable to control a match through play, they rely entirely on a back-and-forth of talent. And when they drop a gear, they lose the thread of the match. They only regained feelings with the entry of Güler, who in five minutes took over the rhythm of the duel, created chances, and calmed the waters.
The Turk, who is also the only one who delivers good corners, added another goal action to his season tally by assisting Mbappé in the decisive goal. A counterattack that the Frenchman finished with a cross shot. Madrid remains unbeaten at Chamartín.
Read more R. Madrid — Rayo live
