Real Madrid News
Real Madrid superstar continues mesmerising form under Mourinho in 4-0 thrashing of Malaga
Real Madrid continued their perfect start to the season with a comprehensive 4-0 win over Malaga at the Bernabeu.
Jude Bellingham once again led the way, opening the scoring in the 19th minute before playing a key role in Real Madrid’s second, an own goal from Alfonso Herrero in the 26th minute.
Kylian Mbappe then added a third in the 30th minute to put the game to bed early.
It was another commanding display from Bellingham, who is showing no signs of slowing down under Jose Mourinho.
Bellingham back to his best
Bellingham has rediscovered the electric form that defined his debut campaign at Real Madrid, and his goal against Malaga was further proof of that resurgence.
After two seasons disrupted by injuries, the Englishman is finally free of physical concerns and flying once again.
Three league games have already yielded two goals and two assists, and he was also instrumental in the second goal against Malaga, heading a ball that Puga cleared off the line only for Herrero to bundle into his own net.
In Mourinho’s 4-2-3-1, the 22-year-old operates just behind Vinicius Jr and Mbappe, allowing him to get closer to goal, where his shooting, driving and vision prove lethal.
Mourinho’s best ‘signing’
In many ways, Bellingham’s return to form has been like a new signing for Mourinho, and the Portuguese has been full of praise for his talisman.
“He’s a unique and super important player for the team. He is a player with different talents, from physical to mental and tactical,” Mourinho said ahead of the Malaga clash.
“He also has the condition of recovering balls and pressing and scoring status, his game from above. He is an absolutely impressive player,” he added.
The numbers underline just how vital Bellingham is once again. In his debut season, he racked up 23 goals and 13 assists as Real Madrid claimed a LaLiga and Champions League double.
After that, his output dipped over the following two campaigns.
On this current trajectory, however, he could match last season’s entire tally within weeks.
After three successive wins to start the season, a 1-0 loss to Real Betis came as a reality check for Real Madrid, who are still some way off matching the quality and consistency of Barcelona.
In light of the defeat, the Real Madrid coaching staff is analysing the best way to get the most out of the current setup.
More expected from Valverde
According to Defensa Central, one of the key conclusions drawn from the Betis defeat is that Real Madrid need greater involvement from Federico Valverde with the ball.
The Uruguayan has been deployed as the pivot, largely due to the absence of the injured Aurelien Tchouameni, but he is yet to make the step up in quality the team requires from that role.
While his effort and commitment are never in doubt, Mourinho and his staff, led by Sami Khedira, feel Valverde spends too much time positioned behind the opposition’s midfield line.
As a result, he fails to offer passing lanes to his teammates when they are under pressure, forcing them into hurried, aimless clearances rather than playing out cleanly from the back.
That concern has already been communicated to Valverde, who is still adapting to a position he has never truly played, making the challenge all the more difficult for him.
A collective issue to fix
However, the problem is not Valverde’s alone, with the coaching staff identifying a wider issue in the team’s structure.
Khedira has reportedly noted a certain passivity from the attackers in the videos of the match, particularly Vinicius Jr and Kylian Mbappe, when it comes to offering themselves as the ball transitions from midfield into attacking areas.
That lack of movement compounds the difficulties for the deeper midfielders.
Mourinho, for his part, remains unfazed by the departure of Rodri to Barcelona, insisting his squad has the tools to cope.
“I’m not missing Rodri. We have solutions, we have quality,” the Portuguese said, before adding that he backs his ability to improve players.
With a Champions League opener against Inter Milan on the horizon, Mourinho and his staff will be keen to iron out these issues quickly.
