Self-criticism reaches the white locker room
A day after the crash in Portugal, the atmosphere in Valdebebas is one of reflection. The defeat against Benfica was not only a result, it was a message. And the protagonists have heard it loud and clear.
Kylian Mbappé, scorer of the team’s two goals, did not look for excuses. He got straight to the point.
“In football the matches start at minute 0 and not at minute 45, so in the end the defeat is deserved,” said the Frenchman. “I can’t say it’s not deserved because we haven’t played to win this game.”
His analysis was devastating. He acknowledged that he saw a rival with more hunger, more dedication. A Benfica that “was risking its life” against a Madrid that seemed not to understand the significance of the match.
The responsibility also lies with the bench
Álvaro Arbeloa, along the same lines, carried his part. The coach admitted a failure in communication, in the transmission of that urgent message that the team needed.
“I haven’t been able to give the players the level I wanted them to give,” said Arbeloa. “If the team does not perform at the level, the responsibility is always mine.”
A defeat that hurts doubly. Not only because of the score (4-2), but because of what it meant. A draw was enough to secure a place in the top eight and a direct pass to the round of 16 of the Champions League. Now they will have to go through the repechage phase.
The League as a lifeline
But in football there is no time for regrets. This Sunday it’s time to get back to the fray at home, against Rayo Vallecano. The good run in La Liga (five wins in a row) has placed Madrid just one point behind Barcelona.
It’s time to show character. To show that the lessons of Lisbon have been learned. Rayo arrives with three consecutive defeats and in relegation problems.
Meanwhile, Barça, already classified among the eight best in Europe, visits Elche. And there will be a Basque derby between Real Sociedad and Athletic.
For Madrid, it is time to turn the page with facts. To show that a bad night does not define a season. The match against Rayo is the first test.
