RESOLVING THE LEDGER
This is one outlet's own report from Yahoo Sports — the article as it was filed. Other outlets are covering the same event; open the full story to compare every source side by side.
See the full story · 3 sources
Three takeaways from Real Madrid 4-1 Real Sociedad
The Santiago Bernabeu reopened its gates for the first time this season on Wednesday night as Real Madrid took on Real Sociedad in what should have been their first game of the season.
Jose Mourinho made no changes to his starting lineup on the night and preserved the exact core that won against Espanyol – thereby rewarding the XI with continuity.
The players, needless to say, did not let the manager down as they finished the game with a 4-1 win and a dominant show.
Kylian Mbappe netted a wonderful hat-trick while Vinicius Jr. added the cherry on top with a simple finish. All in all, however, the men in white delivered a complete performance across all departments.
Madrid Universal brings you three takeaways from Real Madrid 4-1 Real Sociedad.
Mbappe arrives in style
Mbappe scored a hat-trick for Real Madrid. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
Real Madrid’s win last night was largely centred around Kylian Mbappe’s hat-trick and the Frenchman’s lethal finishing in front of goal.
It is hard to put into perspective how important Mbappe is to Real Madrid’s attacks and results, for his performance was the single biggest difference between the tight win at the weekend and the dominant win last night.
Against Espanyol, Mbappe had several chances to score and missed all his opportunities, leading the team to a tight spot in the dying minutes. Last night, however, he buried every half-chance presented to him and the difference is clear.
Mbappe’s hat-trick was a special one, not only because of the ease of conversion but because of how technically difficult every individual goal was.
His first goal on the night came from a brilliant first-touch away from the defender followed by an unstoppable shot into the top corner.
For the second goal, he showed brilliant one-two play with Jude Bellingham to get into space and finish from a complicated angle.
The third goal, meanwhile, saw Vinicius and Bellingham combine beautifully to set up the Frenchman. Having a 1v1 situation, Mbappe went for glamour and finished with a perfect lob.
If Mbappe can stay as clinical in front of the goal, there is simply no stopping Real Madrid. The Frenchman, after all, is their single-most important player in the final third..
A second half of conviction
Real Madrid were extremely clinical in the second half. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)
There was something beautiful about Real Madrid’s second-half performance last night, and it was not just the goals they scored with dominance.
For the first time in a long time, Los Blancos seemed to be playing free-flowing football with dangerous attacking combinations and one-touch passing.
The big stars showed a great sense of understanding of each other’s movements, got into attacking spaces and found each other with intricate passing sequences.
Jude Bellingham, for starters, was brilliant once again in the attacking midfield and combined exquisitely with Mbappe for his second goal and even did everything to set up Vinicius Jr. for a tap-in goal.
Beyond the Englishman’s understanding with Mbappe and Vinicius, even the French-Brazilian combination finally showed some promise as the duo worked in tandem for Real Madrid’s third goal on the night.
What the game thus proved was that Real Madrid can be heavily lethal and virtually unstoppable if the player put their egos and personal agendas aside and play for the badge.
A little hint of unselfishness, and Jose Mourinho’s team can move the world. After all, the talent is undeniably there, and if Real Madrid can continue playing like the second half last night, they will be the most dangerous team in world football.
Promise through the midfield
Real Madrid’s midfield delivered when it mattered. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)
On paper, Real Madrid’s midfield is the single weak link in Jose Mourinho’s side and it is clear that a lot of emphasis will be placed on that department until order is restored.
The first game against Espanyol did not leave a great feeling about the control in midfield, and it was only moments of brilliance from Bellingham and Arda Guler that saw Real Madrid create chances of importance.
Last night, however, the entire midfield stepped up and performed at a high level, especially after the break. Containing Real Sociedad to their area is not simple, but the midfield did well to achieve the same.
Federico Valverde started alongside Bernardo Silva in the double pivot once more, and both players played a solid shift this time around with good understanding and link-up play.
The Uruguayan, in fact, even pushed forward to get into attacking positions on occasion and even came close to scoring towards the end of the game.
Mourinho’s decision to field Guler ahead of Yan Diomande also helped Real Madrid retain the dominance in the middle of the park, and the young Turk again racked up five key passes.
All in all, there were positive takeaways for Mourinho around Real Madrid’s midfield and there is a growing sense of optimism that there is enough to control and dictate games. The period of assessment, however, will continue for a long time.
AIPROPX is an independent multi-source news index — we track, compare, and connect coverage from across the web into one place you won't find anywhere else.