Real Madrid’s Vinicius and Rodrygo magic up LA comeback against Milan

A partially recreated Real Madrid team displayed their potential with an impressive comeback in the preseason game against AC Milan, securing a victory with two crucial goals from Valverde and another from Vinicius. The win was cheered on in Los Angeles almost at the levels heard at the Santiago Bernabéu.

Bellingham makes winning Real Madrid debut

The game also marked the debut of Bellingham, who showed promise despite not stealing the limelight. His presence, as well as the departure of Benzema and the unavailability of a prominent striker, saw a shift in the team’s formation. It was also a moment for Joselu, Fran García and Nico Paz to have a run out, but it was the genius of Vinicius and Rodrygo that defined the conclusion.

As the summer transfer curiosity continues, discussions arise about how the new signings will impact the team’s performance. Madrid has seen four new players arrive and one returning talent, Brahim, amidst a period of transition, necessitating seamless generational changes. Over the past five years, the club has seen two empires fall, those of Cristiano and Benzema, with the latter being crucial in filling the void left by the former. However, the challenge now lies in playing an entire season without a traditional striker, even if the highly anticipated signing of Kylian Mbappé materializes.

To address this, manager Carlo Ancelotti has changed the system with a new approach to pressing. The team took the field in a 4-3-1-2 formation, with Kroos acting as a pivotal figure, supported by Valverde and Camavinga in midfield. Bellingham was positioned further up the field, while Brahim and Joselu formed the attacking duo, although this is not expected to be the primary starting option.

This seems to have brought a fresh energy to the team, with higher intensity pressing and a more ambitious style of play. Compared to last season, the squad appears to have more depth. Only Odriozola remains as an inconspicuous substitute, and it is likely that he will be replaced soon. However, the team currently seems to lack the same level of creativity and goal-scoring prowess they had in the past. The potential arrival of Mbappé could be the ideal solution to this issue, adding a new dimension to their attacking options.

Madrid’s defensive question marks

With financial needs in mind, Madrid’s preseason rehearsals have been marked by intense competition. LA saw a Milan team who reached the Champions League semifinals, with six new signings, three of whom started. Among them were Loftus-Cheek and Pulisic, well-known players from Ancelotti’s time at Chelsea.

Quickly balancing Madrid’s initial dominance the Italians took the lead with a goal from a corner. Tomori’s close-range finish between Militao and Nacho, with Lunin unable to stop it, highlighted a collective error that other coaches will undoubtedly take note of.

Until that point, Madrid had shown glimpses of their potential, with Valverde attempting a distant shot, hinting at what was to come, and Bellingham also testing the Milan defence, only to be denied by Tomori’s wall-like defense. The English debutant’s impressive display showcased his strong presence on the field, exceptional control with both feet, and an innate ability to deliver crucial passes. He already suggests his performances will match his price tag.

Despite some promising moments, Madrid struggled with ball retention from their central defenders, resulting in the second goal, this time from Luka Romero. The Argentine talent made history in 2020 as the youngest debutant in LaLiga while playing for Mallorca, and now at 18 he finished exquisitely.

Valverde and the Brazilians

At halftime, Ancelotti made a crucial change, transitioning to a more recognisable lineup, especially in the attack, with the dynamic duo of Rodrygo and Vinicius leading the charge. The alteration shifted Vinicius away from his usual left-wing position, but the Brazilian forward seemed at ease with the role asked of him. Rodrygo’s made an electrifying impact on the game, firing off a shot from outside the box, expertly saved by Sportiello.

In an instance, Madrid turned the tables on Milan with two goals from Valverde, both from outside the area. The first came as a gift from the slippery hands of the Milan goalkeeper. The second was courtesy of a deflection from Tomori. Valverde reminded us of his prowess from long distance, demonstrating that his form from last season remains intact.

As the second half unfolded, Rodrygo continued to spearhead Madrid’s charge, and the team looked definitively superior on the pitch. However, Pioli also unleashed the full potential of his squad, with Rafael Leao leading the charge. Leao’s first intervention saw him dart past Carvajal, although his impressive cross found no one to finish it off. Soon after, Lunin denied Giraud’s attempt to secure a 3-2 victory for Milan.

Despite the Milanese side’s resurgence, the game was sealed by Vinicius, picking up a pass from Modric and confidently slotting home. We’ve got rather used to Madrid comebacks and it seems they’ve picked up from where they left off.

Real Madrid

• 13 Andriy Lunin
• 6 Nacho (45')
• 17 Lucas Vázquez (45')
• 23 Ferland Mendy (45')
• 3 Eder Militao (45')
• 12 Camavinga (45')
• 15 Federico Valverde x2
• 8 Kroos (45')
• 5 Jude Bellingham (63')
• 14 Joselu (45')
• 21 Brahim Diaz (45')
• Substitutes
• 1 Courtois
• 11 Rodrygo (45')
• 24 Arda Guler
• 2 Dani Carvajal (45')
• 26 Diego Piñeiro
• 22 Rüdiger (45')
• 27 Nico Paz (63')
• 16 Álvaro Odriozola
• 18 Aurelien Tchouameni (45')
• 10 Modric (45')
• 20 Fran Garcia (45')
• 4 Alaba (45')
• 7 Vinicius Junior (45')

Milan

• 57 Sportiello (69')
• 25 Florenzi (69')
• Jan-Carlo Simic (69')
• 2 Davide Calabria (69')
• 23 Fikayo Tomori (69')
• 30 Junior Messias (31')
• 32 Tommaso Pobega (69')
• 8 Loftus-Cheek (69')
• 33 Rade Krunic (69')
• 11 Christian Pulisic (69')
• 29 Lorenzo Colombo (69')
• Substitutes
• 14 Tijani Reijnders (69')
• 7 Yacine Adli (69')
• 83 Mirante
• 56 Alexis Saelemaekers (69')
• 9 Giroud (69')
• 24 Kjaer (69')
• 28 Malick Thiaw (69')
• 90 Charles De Ketelaere (69')
• 18 Luka Romero (31')
• 16 Mike Maignan (69')
• Kevin Zeroli
• Davide Bartesaghi
• 17 Rafael Leao (69')
• 19 Theo Hernández (69')

Substitutions

Luka Romero (31', Junior Messias), Aurélien Tchouaméni (45', Toni Kroos), Luka Modric (45', Eduardo Camavinga), Vinícius Júnior (45', Joselu), Rodrygo (45', Brahim Díaz), Fran García (45', Ferland Mendy), Dani Carvajal (45', Lucas Vázquez), Antonio Rüdiger (45', Éder Militão), David Alaba (45', Nacho), Nico Paz (63', Jude Bellingham), Malick Thiaw (69', Fikayo Tomori), Yacine Adli (69', Ruben Loftus-Cheek), Tijjani Reijnders (69', Rade Krunic), Charles De Ketelaere (69', Tommaso Pobega), Alexis Saelemaekers (69', Alessandro Florenzi), Olivier Giroud (69', Lorenzo Colombo), Simon Kjær (69', Jan-Carlo Simic), Rafael Leão (69', Christian Pulisic), Mike Maignan (69', Marco Sportiello), Theo Hernández (69', Davide Calabria)

Goals

0-1, 24': Fikayo Tomori , 0-2, 41': Luka Romero, 1-2, 56': Federico Valverde, 2-2, 58': Federico Valverde, 3-2, 83': Vinicius Junior

Cards

Referee: Timothy Ford
Luka Romero (46',Yellow)