Real Madrid secured a victory, but star forward Kylian Mbappe struggled to make an impact, leaving the Bernabeu without finding the back of the net in a much-anticipated match.
Kylian Mbappe made his debut appearance at the Santiago Bernabeu without scoring a goal on Sunday, as Real Madrid emerged victorious with a 3-0 La Liga triumph over Real Valladolid. The Spanish champions put up an impressive performance to secure their win.
In the capital, Atletico Madrid defeated Girona – last season’s unexpected success story – with ease by using an identical scoreline.
Mbappe, the French striker of Madrid’s team Los Blancos, made his debut at home wearing their shirt. However, he faced significant challenges from Valladolid’s defence and struggled to make a breakthrough.
After 50 minutes, Fede Valverde from Madrid’s midfield team scored the first point. Brahim Diaz and debutant Endrick substitutes made striking moves towards the end of the game.
Madrid struggled to generate much in the first half without Jude Bellingham, who was injured. However, they did just enough after halftime to secure their initial victory of the season, having previously tied with Real Mallorca.
Carlo Ancelotti’s team remained two points behind their rivals Barcelona, who defeated Athletic Bilbao on Saturday, due to their continued struggle with fluency in attack.
Ancelotti remarked that in the first half, our pace was lacking but we made up for it in the second by being more energetic and exhibiting greater mobility. The game became faster-paced with more ball movement.
Real Valladolid aimed to hinder the reigning champions under scorching summer temperatures, and managed to do so for a duration of 45 minutes.
In the second half, Madrid displayed a stronger attacking presence and Valverde scored an intense low free-kick that was deflected into the goal to open up the scoreline.
When Vinicius passed the ball to him, Mbappe had a chance to score his first goal but was unable to capitalize as Estonian goalie Karl Hein made an impressive save.
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18-year-old Brazilian forward Endrick came on to replace the France captain who missed another opportunity during a counter-attack.
Having scored in his debut while clinching the UEFA Super Cup, Mbappe couldn’t replicate such a feat as he failed to score even once during his first two matches in La Liga.
According to Ancelotti, he is an exceptional forward who possesses great speed and moves fluidly without the ball. He also tends to attack from behind, thereby creating three or four chances through his movement.
“He has always scored in this position, so I don’t believe it’s necessary for him to switch to the left. Regardless of where he plays, he will ultimately score goals.”
With a deftly executed lobbed shot, Diaz sealed Madrid’s victory and then set up Endrick for his first appearance with the club in an impressive fashion by hammering it home at close range.
“Endrick possesses tremendous potential and he demonstrated his exceptional abilities through his goal,” Ancelotti commented.
As a centre-forward, his expertise lies within the box; he poses a significant threat in confined areas.
Endrick was signed by Madrid from Palmeiras in 2022, but he only arrived this summer after reaching the appropriate age to make a move.
Atletico, under Diego Simeone’s management, registered their first victory of the season by means of goals from Antoine Griezmann, Marcos Llorente and Koke against Girona.
At the Metropolitano stadium, Julian Alvarez commenced playing for the Rojiblancos whereas Conor Gallagher, who recently became a member of the team from Chelsea, appeared as a substitute to make his debut.
Griezmann remarked that with the team playing at home after a considerable gap, along with fresh acquisitions, it was an ideal evening and stirred up great enthusiasm among the fans.
Michel Sanchez’s Girona, who finished third last season ahead of fourth-place Atletico, struggled to make an impact as the hosts dominated the game.
Just before the half-time, Griezmann scored a goal for Atletico by taking an intense and low free-kick that deceived their goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga.
Early in the second half, Llorente extended the lead with a powerful strike from beyond the box that swiftly soared into the top of the net.
With the departure of several key players in the summer, Girona has managed to secure only one point from their initial two matches.
In stoppage time, Koke secured Atletico’s victory by capitalizing on a counter-attack in which Llorente presented the ball to him for an easy finish.
“Our aim is to reach our best version as quickly as possible, although we recognize that the season’s length makes it a process,” remarked Oriol Romeu, midfielder for Girona.
