Real Madrid News
Stats: Real Madrid summer signing’s masterclass performance vs Malaga
Marc Cucurella got the start Jose Mourinho had been building toward, and he delivered exactly the kind of performance that justifies it.
Real Madrid thrashed Malaga 4-0 at the Santiago Bernabéu, with Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham both shining in an emphatic team display.
But much of the pre-match attention had already shifted to Cucurella, who made his first start for the club after Mourinho hinted at the decision in his press conference ahead of the LaLiga matchday 3 fixture.
Notably, the Spaniard did not waste the opportunity.
Cucurella played the full 90 minutes, looking assured defensively while still offering the attacking width Real Madrid wanted from the position.
A strong debut start
Statistically, Cucurella made five ball recoveries and completed 50 passes across the match, figures that show how difficult he made things for Malaga’s attackers throughout the game.
That defensive solidity was reinforced by the double pivot of Federico Valverde and Eduardo Camavinga in front of him, giving Cucurella extra cover whenever Malaga tried to build through the middle.
He also won both of his attempted tackles and made a clearance, capping off a tidy defensive return.
Mourinho now has genuine competition at left-back
Cucurella’s arrival has given Mourinho an important option in a position where Alvaro Carreras is also pushing for minutes.
The Malaga game offered the first real indication of why Mourinho considers the Spain international capable of becoming his first-choice left-back.
Five recoveries, two tackles won, a clearance, and a full 90 minutes without looking overwhelmed. That is a strong platform for any player making a first start, let alone one still building match fitness.
If this level holds, it puts real pressure on Carreras for competing for that left-back spot.
Mourinho now has evidence, not just conviction, that Cucurella can handle the physical and tactical demands of the role.
The next few weeks, against tougher opposition, will show whether this was the start of a settled run or simply a strong opening statement.
Real Madrid’s performance against Real Betis was shambolic, to say the least as the team faced many of the problems that have haunted them over the past couple of years.
But on a night where most of the attackers struggled to create anything of note, Dean Huijsen emerged as a lone bright spark for Los Blancos.
Huijsen keeps his promise
As reported by MARCA, Huijsen was the standout performer for Real Madrid, marshalling the backline with real authority even as the team struggled around him.
There has been a noticeable shift in the young defender’s mentality this season, with the player showing more competitive nature and looking much fiercer.
This is an attitude Huijsen had always promised, having inherited the iconic number four shift from David Alaba, a number he associates with his idols Sergio Ramos and Fernando Hierro.
“What I do know is that I’ll give everything of myself every day, whether in training or in a game,” he vowed, and at La Cartuja he delivered on that word.
His primary task was neutralising Juan ‘Cucho’ Hernandez, and he did so superbly, drying up the Colombian’s supply and repeatedly anticipating danger.
He also held his own in a niggly battle with Antony, refusing to be ruffled by one of Betis’ most inspired performers.
His composure on the ball, one of the qualities that has elevated him, saw him venture forward, forcing a fine save from the goalkeeper in the 11th minute and later heading against the woodwork.
The Konate partnership grows
Alongside him, Ibrahima Konate did his job, albeit without matching his partner’s brilliance.
The Frenchman was a little less assured, both in and out of possession, reflecting the two speeds of the centre-back pairing.
Huijsen looks settled and increasingly commanding, while Konate is still building the sharpness needed to reach his best in white.
Nonetheless, the partnership is heading in the right direction, and in Huijsen, Real Madrid appear to have unearthed a genuine leader for an area that has long been a weakness.
Each performance is also an argument to Luis de la Fuente, as the defender looks to reclaim the Spain spot he lost before the World Cup.
