Spanish League: Real Madrid faces Valladolid without the star presence of Kylian Mbappé

It was one of the most anticipated events in Spain this weekend. After playing his first two matches in Real Madrid's colors, Kylian Mbappé was set to make his debut at the Santiago Bernabéu. The entire Spanish press was buzzing about it, especially since the Frenchman, who had a quiet performance against Mallorca, was expected to win over the Madrid fans. He also needed to reassure the supporters about the Merengues' offensive lineup, which seemed unbalanced. For this match, Carlo Ancelotti did not change his attacking trio, allowing Vinicius Jr., Rodrygo, and Mbappé to start together. With Jude Bellingham injured, Arda Güler stepped in as the number 10. Aurélien Tchouameni was once again in the starting lineup at the heart of the midfield, while Fran Garcia replaced Ferland Mendy, who was sent off in the first match of the season.

Expectations were high for an offensive spectacle in this home match, but it’s safe to say that the game fell short. Despite a star-studded lineup on paper, Real Madrid showed little on the field. As in the previous match, the offensive setup was clearly problematic. Mbappé had very few touches on the ball and struggled with his link-up play. However, he did create an early chance, taking a left-footed shot from a long ball in behind, though it posed little threat to Hein (9th minute). Beyond that, there was little to note, both for the Frenchman and for Vinicius Jr. Only Rodrygo and Arda Güler seemed to show any inspiration.

Kylian Mbappé was too quiet

As the second half began, Carlo Ancelotti, pondering how to navigate this tough Sunday afternoon against Valladolid's compact defense, found salvation in his versatile player, Federico Valverde. The Uruguayan midfielder, following a set-piece combination, unleashed a powerful strike that Karl Hein couldn't stop (1-0, 49th minute). This goal eased the pressure on Madrid but also left them exposed at the back. Arda Güler was the most active in attack and came close to extending the lead. Meanwhile, Mbappé drifted through the game, showing little impact and at times appeared overwhelmed by the occasion.

The former PSG star ended his match by missing a close-range opportunity, while Valladolid continued to create chances. Late in the game, Carlo Ancelotti decided to substitute him, bringing on Endrick for some game time. Shortly after this change, Real Madrid finally broke through to seal their victory. Last season’s supersub, Brahim Diaz, scored the second goal with a delightful lob, securing the three points for his team. In a fitting conclusion, Endrick, who replaced Mbappé, added a goal in the final seconds with a well-executed move (3-0). Real Madrid finally kick-starts their season but will need to show much more if they aim to achieve their season's objectives.