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MADRID — Real Madrid continued their red-hot begin to the season as targets from Vinicius Jr. and Rodrygo have been sufficient to see the defending LaLiga champions previous Real Betis on the Bernabeu on Saturday.
– Report: Madrid 2-1 Betis | LaLiga table | Upcoming fixtures
Carlo Ancelotti’s staff have received all of their 4 video games this season and sit high of the league desk.
JUMP TO: Player ratings | Best/worst performers | Highlights and notable moments | Post-match quotes | Key stats | Upcoming fixtures
Table of Contents
1. Vinicius Jr. provides scoring consistency to his sport
For all his dramatic enchancment final season, which he ended by scoring the winner in a Champions League last, Vinicius Junior by no means managed to search out the online in three video games in a row. In reality, he hadn’t achieved in order a Actual Madrid participant — the final time was as a young person for Flamengo — earlier than this run of targets in opposition to Celta Vigo, Espanyol and now Actual Betis on successive weekends.
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Saturday’s effort was a particular purpose, too — precisely the sort of end that used to seem past him. He timed his run onto David Alaba’s go in behind the defence and coolly lifted the ball over Rui Silva within the Betis purpose at exactly the fitting second. It wasn’t all good from him, thoughts you — he had an ideal likelihood to revive Madrid’s lead simply after Betis had levelled, skying it over the bar — however the indicators are there {that a} participant as soon as derided for his ending has now developed a real purpose menace, week after week.
Final yr’s 17 league targets was vastly spectacular — solely Karim Benzema and Iago Aspas scored extra in LaLiga — and if Vinicius can enhance that tally this season, that is worrying information for everybody else.
2. Final yr’s good Bernabeu vibes proceed
Saturday marked Madrid’s first house sport of the season after kicking off 2022-23 with three consecutive away wins to permit work on the Santiago Bernabeu redevelopment to proceed at full pace throughout August. The brand new stadium is not near being accomplished but — it is not anticipated to be achieved till subsequent Might — however on the pitch, the staff is wanting near the completed article.
Dwelling performances on the Bernabeu have been key to Madrid’s miraculous Champions League-winning run final yr. This was a really completely different event — a sunny afternoon in early September — however final season’s love-in between the group and Carlo Ancelotti’s staff is exhibiting no indicators of hitting the rocks simply but.
There was a celebratory temper earlier than kick-off, with the Champions League and UEFA Tremendous Cup trophies each being introduced to the house followers, and that positivity continued when Vinicius put the staff forward early on. Even Betis’ fast equaliser did not do a lot to dampen the group’s spirits — Madrid have come again from a lot, a lot worse — and Rodrygo’s second-half winner felt like one thing of an inevitability.
It is 4 league video games performed and 4 wins for Madrid, with consideration turning again to this membership’s favorite competitors, the Champions League, subsequent week.
3. Betis fall simply quick, however they’re going to be effective
Betis’ season final yr was exceptional: profitable their first trophy in 17 years by lifting the Copa del Rey and ending fifth in LaLiga, simply outdoors the Champions League locations. That success may need raised expectations to a stage past what is cheap, however a tough summer time switch market — the place the membership spent more often than not working to register new signings and cling onto key gamers — was a wanted dose of realism.
Their begin to the season had been flawless, with three wins out of three placing them stage with Madrid on the high earlier than Saturday’s loss, and even on this slender defeat they have been aggressive for lengthy durations. Sergio Canales is one in all LaLiga’s most elegant, influential playmakers — though they have been unlucky to lose his associate Nabil Fekir to harm early on right here — and Borja Iglesias, who arrange Canales to attain, is an distinctive centre ahead.
The squad has a tidy mix of youth and expertise — Joaquin, 41, made a late look off the bench — and coach Manuel Pellegrini is a gentle hand.
Final season might be a troublesome act to comply with, however chasing fourth place is an inexpensive goal this time.
Actual Madrid (4-3-3): Thibaut Courtois 6; Dani Carvajal 6, Eder Militao 6, David Alaba 7, Ferland Mendy 6; Aurelien Tchouameni 8, Luka Modric 7, Eduardo Camavinga 6; Rodrygo Goes 8, Vinicius Junior 8, Karim Benzema 7.
Subs: Fede Valverde 7, Dani Ceballos 6, Toni Kroos 6, Antonio Rudiger 6.
Actual Betis (4-2-3-1): Rui Silva 6; Youssouf Sabaly 6, Luiz Felipe 7, Edgar Gonzalez 6, Alex Moreno 6; Guido Rodriguez 6, Andres Guardado 6; Sergio Canales 8, Nabil Fekir 5, Juanmi 6; Borja Iglesias 7.
Subs: Luiz Henrique 7, Willian Jose 6, Aitor Ruibal 6, Joaquin Sanchez 6.
BEST: Aurelien Tchouameni, Actual Madrid
A vastly spectacular house debut, dominating the midfield. Tchouameni regarded equally good with and with out the ball — incomes the applause of an appreciative Bernabeu crowd with some intelligent touches, neat passing and well-timed interceptions.
WORST: Nabil Fekir, Actual Betis
Fekir tends to excel in opposition to the massive groups, however right here he barely had any time to make an affect on the sport earlier than being compelled off with an harm.
As famous within the response factors, the environment on the Bernabeu appeared good right now. An amazing day for an ideal sport and it by no means hurts when the house staff wins…
https://twitter.com/alexkirkland/status/1566051475729666049?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
After the match, Carlo Ancelotti was stuffed with reward for visiting Betis:
https://twitter.com/realmadriden/status/1566108770446594049?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
“We’re actually glad. That is simply getting began. After three video games away from house we’re again with the followers and we received… I am glad to have scored, and to assist after we wanted it. I am getting back from an harm and I am higher day-after-day… I all the time need (to begin) and I will preserve working, I believe I will be (a starter). Fede (Valverde) is a high participant, it is powerful competing with him.” — Actual Madrid ahead Rodrygo
– Actual Madrid begins the season with 5 straight victories in all competitions for the primary time since 2016-17 (received first 6 matches that season)
– Actual Madrid has received 56% of its LaLiga conferences vs Actual Betis (63 wins in 112 video games). The one groups it has performed at the very least 100 occasions and owns a better win proportion in opposition to in LaLiga is Zaragoza (64%), Espanyol (61%), Celta (59%) and Real Sociedad (57%)
– Of Vinicius’ 40 targets with Actual Madrid, 30 have been together with his proper foot, 8 with the left and a pair of through headers.
Actual Madrid: Can Ancelotti & Co. preserve the great vibes flowing? Actual Madrid face three video games over the subsequent 10 days, visiting Celtic in Champions League matchday one (Sept. 6) earlier than internet hosting Mallorca in LaLiga (Sept. 11) after which RB Leipzig in Champions League matchday two (Sept. 14). It appears cheap to anticipate them to stay good on the season after this trio of video games…
Actual Betis: Pellegrini’s facet have time to shrug off a aggressive, hard-fought defeat on the defending LaLiga champions, with their subsequent sport approaching Thursday at HJK Helsinki within the Europa League earlier than a house date with Villarreal within the league (Sept. 11). They’re nonetheless second in LaLiga behind Madrid after 4 video games.