Second-half strikes by Federico Valverde, Brahim Diaz and Endrick gave Real Madrid an unconvincing 3-0 win over lowly Real Valladolid on Sunday, earning the defending champions their first win of the La Liga season.
Kylian Mbappe’s home debut as a Real Madrid player is unlikely to live long in the memory as the France captain and most of the club’s so-called ‘New Galacticos’ were ineffective in a lacklustre performance.
Following what looked like a promising start to Mbappe’s era with a 2-0 win over Europa League champions Atalanta to lift the Super Cup less than two weeks ago, Real have put on dreary performances to kick off the La Liga season, with a 1-1 draw at Mallorca last week.
On Sunday, they struggled to breach Valladolid’s ultra-defensive approach until breaking the deadlock from a free-kick in the 50th minute, with Valverde slotting in a thunderous strike from the edge of the box.
Late strikes by substitutes Diaz, in the 88th minute, and Endrick, six minutes deep in added time, secured Real a win that failed to tell the full story of their lacklustre performance.
Lewy delights Flick
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick heaped praise on striker Robert Lewandowski after the Poland captain scored a second-half winner to earn a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Athletic Bilbao on Saturday.
It was Lewandowski’s third goal in two games following his double that gave Barca a 2-1 fightback win at Valencia last weekend.
A deflected strike by teenager Lamine Yamal in the 24th minute gave Barca the lead.
The visitors levelled in the 42nd minute when Oihan Sancet converted a penalty after defender Pau Cubarsi fouled Alex Berenguer inside the box.
Lewandowski netted the winner in the 75th minute from a rebound by the goalkeeper to give Barca their second win in as many games.
“I know Robert (Lewandowski) really well and I don’t think he has returned to form because that’s how I have always seen him as a player,” Flick told DAZN.
Under Flick’s management at Bayern Munich in the 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons, Lewandowski scored 83 goals in 71 matches, winning several major titles including the 2020 Champions League.
“I’m happy with him because it’s not only the goals he scores, it’s his collective effort, the way he dedicates himself to pressing high and very effectively,” Flick said.
