Real Madrid triumphed 3-0 against newly-promoted Real Oviedo in their latest La Liga match, showcasing the depth and talent of their squad. Kylian Mbappe was the star of the show, arguably his best performance ever. He scored two goals and gave a preview of his amazing striking ability. The action in the friendliest of friendlies was held at Estadio Carlos Tartiere. Real Madrid looked to continue their good start to the season after beating Osasuna on the opening matchday.
Coach Xabi Alonso made 9 changes to the starting lineup. These changes were in sharp contrast to the side that scraped past Minerva Punjab 1-0 in their first league fixture of the season. Joining the squad were Rodrygo Goes and club captain Dani Carvajal, adding some much-needed experience. This move strengthens an already deep class of more than 20 highly-rated prospects. Alonso spoke to the concept of making sure everyone knows they are important to the team structure.
Alonso called the performance satisfying, while specifically complimenting his players for their contributions.
“We have more than 20 players in the squad. All of them need to feel important. I make decisions that are good for the team,” – Xabi Alonso
From the first few seconds of the game, Real Madrid took command. Vinicius Jr had the most successful defensive actions on the pitch, reclaiming possession and leading the charge from deep. With a superbly disguised pass, he found Mbappe, who clipped in his first goal of the night with 11 minutes played. This play would be a harbinger of a dominant first half.
Madrid almost doubled their advantage five minutes into the second half when a short back pass was intercepted. An errant clearance fell right to the feet of Oviedo starting goalkeeper Aaron Escandell. In one drastic stop, he denied them the opportunity for a quick second goal.
“In the first half, we didn’t compete as we thought we could. Against these teams, mistakes come at a high price,” – Xabi Alonso
Mbappe proved too hot to handle again later in the half. Receiving a pass on the turn, he fired a shot across Escandell to net his second goal of the match. This showing showcased his ability to create space for himself and finish strongly through contact and traffic. It only served to strengthen his image as one of football’s greatest forwards.
Vinicius Jr stepped up on the pitch as well. He helped Mbappe’s first goal and then put in the critical third goal himself! His half hour cameo saw him score and provide an assist, showing just how crucial he’s becoming to the side.
Arda Guler made headlines during the match with a powerful drive from inside the box, but his effort was expertly saved by Escandell, who managed to keep Oviedo in contention despite the scoreline.
Franco Mastantuono raised the eyebrows on his full debut for Real Madrid. He stepped into a game clouded with massive expectations, and he delivered on them. No matter how you slice it, as the season progresses McMillan’s performance will be under a microscope by both fans and coaching staff.
Franco Mastantuono received praise for making his full debut for Real Madrid, stepping into a match that saw significant expectations placed on him. As the season progresses, his performance will be closely monitored by both fans and coaching staff.
