In a dominant display, Kylian Mbappé scored his first goal in five games, helping Real Madrid secure a 3-0 victory over Leganés on Sunday in La Liga. The win moved Los Blancos into second place, just four points behind leaders Barcelona, with a game in hand. Madrid capitalized on Barcelona’s slip-up, who were held to a draw at Celta Vigo on Saturday. The match also served as a crucial warm-up for Madrid, who face Liverpool in a pivotal Champions League match on Wednesday, following a challenging start to their European campaign.
Real Madrid’s Solid Performance
Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance, especially after their dominant 4-0 win over Osasuna in the previous match. “The team managed the good feelings that we had in the previous 4-0 win against Osasuna well, and we confirmed them today,” said Ancelotti, pleased with how his side maintained their rhythm.
Despite missing key players like Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao due to long-term injuries, Madrid showed resilience. The Italian coach also brought in goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who returned after a period out, and made strategic changes to the lineup. Notably, Ancelotti switched Mbappé to his preferred position on the left wing, instead of the previous tactic of using Vinicius Junior there.
The French forward’s performance proved vital, as Mbappé opened the scoring for Madrid, capitalizing on a defensive mistake by Leganés. Although he had an earlier strike ruled out for offside, Mbappé made his mark just before halftime, with Vinicius Junior providing the assist.
Key Players Shine in the Victory
Fede Valverde, who captained Madrid for the first time, also made a significant contribution. Playing out of position at right-back, Valverde drilled home Madrid’s second goal in the 66th minute, showcasing his versatility and eye for goal.
As the match approached its conclusion, England international Jude Bellingham sealed the win, scoring Madrid’s third. Bellingham, who has been in fine form this season, pounced on a rebound after a deflected shot from Brahim Diaz struck the crossbar, heading home from close range.
For Leganés, it was a frustrating match. Despite giving their all, they struggled to capitalize on any opportunities and were punished for defensive errors. Defender Sergio Gonzalez admitted the team’s mistakes were costly. “We were very comfortable in the first half, playing the game we wanted to, but (to concede) after a mistake… hurts more. It got away from us because of our errors,” Gonzalez said after the match.
Youth Development Shines: Raul Asencio’s Impressive Start
One of the notable performances of the match came from Raul Asencio, a 21-year-old centre-back who made his first start for the senior team. Ancelotti praised the young defender, who played with maturity beyond his years. “He surprised me in that he’s a player with maturity, always well positioned, very well positioned, and it means the youth academy has done a good job with him,” said Ancelotti, highlighting the effectiveness of Madrid’s youth development system.
Looking Ahead: Champions League Clash Against Liverpool
With the win over Leganés, Real Madrid are in a strong position in La Liga, and their confidence heading into the Champions League match against Liverpool at Anfield is boosted. However, Madrid’s recent European form has been less than stellar, with two defeats in their first four Champions League matches. The upcoming clash against Liverpool will be a crucial test for Ancelotti’s men, as they look to bounce back and keep their hopes of progressing in the tournament alive.
Conclusion
The 3-0 victory over Leganés showcased Real Madrid’s depth and resilience, with key contributions from Kylian Mbappé, Fede Valverde, and Jude Bellingham. The team’s solid performance is a positive sign ahead of their crucial Champions League encounter against Liverpool. With young players like Raul Asencio stepping up and veterans like Mbappé finding their form, Los Blancos will be looking to carry this momentum into the midweek clash at Anfield.
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