Madrid needed a victory to overcome the small depression of the derby against Atlético, a psychological blow before facing the first-class port that will be the visits to Girona in the League and Naples in the Champions League.. And at the Bernabéu, with the joy of the returns of Vinicius and Ceballos and the concern over Alaba's injury, he achieved it against Las Palmas. Brahim and Joselu scored in the middle of a period of enough chances for a rout. It was not like that, but the whites maintain the path of the surprising Girona, leader of the League.
Ancelotti gave Brahim the opportunity that the Bernabéu asked for, happy with the Andalusian's minutes during this start of the season. The Italian had insisted that he deserved more playing time and took advantage of the weekday and the theoretical superiority of his team against Las Palmas to rotate Bellingham and give the former Milan player an alternative.. Did not disappoint. Brahim, when Chamartín was already smelling the half-time snack, put a reassuring 1-0 on the scoreboard after 45 minutes of “oops.”
Up to 18 shots, 8 of them on goal, the whites accumulated in the first period of the match. One after another, the shots crashed into the hands of Álvaro Valles, who put together a colossal performance beyond the numbers. Rodrygo and Joselu once again shared the lead and misfortunes, because they were not able to touch the visitors' nets in the initial stretch, to the despair of the stands.. This Madrid has a problem with the goal, but not because it doesn't try, but because of the quality with which it defines the goal. It was noticed more than ever against Las Palmas. In the 5th, Rodrygo, with a volley from the penalty spot, inexplicably hit the center. Only from the pressure and anxiety of not scoring can we understand the Brazilian's mistake, who has accumulated 31 shots without seeing the goal.
Madrid constantly took advantage of Las Palmas' advanced defense, which tried to put pressure on the white midfield by joining its lines, but freed up too much space behind it.. The one who understood it best was Fede Valverde, Madrid's best in the first half. In the 18th minute, a combination between the Uruguayan and Brahim ended at the feet of Joselu, who began his torment against Valles there.. The forward missed again and again, three times with his left foot, against the goalkeeper. And Rodrygo, maintaining his nerves and stress, was not skilled either on the couple of occasions he had.. Not even Nacho could score from inside the small area.
In the 40th minute, with the score at 0-0, the coaching staff regretted the injury to Alaba, who put his hand on his right leg.. It seemed like a muscular issue, something expected after having played 90 minutes of the previous six days.. On the pitch, Valverde continued breaking lines and leading Madrid. The Uruguayan put pressure on several Las Palmas ball exits and took advantage of one to give in to Lucas, who assisted Brahim inside the area so that he, after feinting a couple of times, beat Valles.
After the break, Madrid was less of a steamroller and more controlling. He didn't finish as much and limited himself to saving strength for future matches while the Bernabéu was encouraged by watching Vinicius and Ceballos warm up.. The return of the Brazilian and the Andalusian will give Ancelotti more options and, they hope in Valdebebas, more goals than they have shown at the beginning of the season. When his compatriot was preparing to go in, Rodrygo approached to talk to the coach and in the next play he asked for the ball, faced his marker and placed a perfect cross with his left so that Joselu, there, scored the second goal of the game. late. The Spaniard retaliated by punching the ground in anger while the Bernabéu chanted his goal and his effort.
The ovation for Vinicius ended the match, although there was still half an hour left.. Madrid was satisfied with the result and joined forces with Las Palmas, who beyond a couple of approaches from Viera, did not endanger Kepa's goal. Ceballos gave a different rhythm to a midfield that was too passive and Rodrygo could have scored the goal that would alleviate his pain, but he couldn't.
On the bench, Bellingham and Modric did not even warm up to avoid greater problems, with Alaba's physical problems on their minds and the double visit to Girona and Naples on the horizon. On Saturday, duel for the leadership in Montilivi.