Real Madrid secure victory over Rayo Vallecano as Guler restores order
After a shaky midfield setup, Arda Guler’s second-half introduction saved Real Madrid from losing control against Rayo Vallecano.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.0 / Author: Alejandro Ramos
In their clash against Rayo Vallecano, Real Madrid once again relied on opponent errors rather than imposing their own dominance. While Jose Mourinho's side secured a comfortable win, the match highlighted ongoing concerns regarding the team's midfield balance, echoing recent struggles against Inter Milan in the Champions League.
Bernardo Silva’s return to the starting XI brought fluidity to the transition phase, but Mourinho’s decision to pair him with Federico Valverde without a defensive anchor left the team exposed. Rayo Vallecano, unfortunately for their own cause, handed Madrid an early lead with a series of naive mistakes that allowed Kylian Mbappé and Álvaro Carreras to score within the first 17 minutes.
The momentum shifted in the second half when Mourinho introduced Eduardo Camavinga for Valverde, which caused the midfield to collapse entirely. Íñigo Pérez’s side gained the confidence to push forward, and only Thibaut Courtois’s brilliance prevented the hosts from conceding. While bringing on Aurélien Tchouaméni later stabilized the backline, it sacrificed the team’s creative pulse.
The turning point was the introduction of Arda Guler. The Turkish teenager immediately restored control, calming the tempo and dictating play, eventually setting up the fourth goal for Mbappe. His influence ensured that Real Madrid avoided the tactical traps that nearly cost them points against both Real Betis and Inter Milan previously.