It was the first test to see how the new players of Real Madrid would fare, and although they struggled, two classics came to the rescue: Federico Valverde and Vinicius Junior. However, two other players were equally important and stood out from the rest.
The first standout was Jude Bellingham. Despite having his knee bandaged, the Englishman was the beacon of creativity in the midfield. He showed flashes of brilliance that suggest he's destined to become a world-class player for many years to come.
He had the composure to calm down a Real Madrid side that wasn't quite sharp in the first half. With little effort, he did a lot, and with a lot of effort, he did even more. Bellingham is undoubtedly the best signing Real Madrid has made in years.
Another player who outshone the rest was Brahim. He played a crucial role in the midfield and his flair confirmed the improvement in talent that benefited from his two-year loan spell at Milan. He moved skillfully both with and without the ball, delivering perfect assists to his teammates.
Joselu started as the leading striker in the 4-4-2 formation and didn't perform poorly, although he seemed somewhat isolated. He was probably one of the casualties of the new system. The team's adaptation to the new formation will take time, not just for him but for all his teammates.
Joselu is an upgrade compared to last year's Carlo Ancelotti squad, but he's not the type of striker to demand 40 goals per year. That responsibility will fall on others… or on one other player, specifically, whose name we can't mention.
Fran Garcia played in the second half and significantly improved the performance of a lackluster Ferland Mendy, who struggled from the beginning. The Frenchman had his share of errors, but the academy player patched up the left-back position in the second half. It remains to be seen if he can compete with Mendy for the spot, as the debate is certainly open after what we witnessed in the night of Pasadena.
The Argentine displayed flashes of quality and demonstrated the potential to become a serious player if Real Madrid gives him time to develop his midfield skills patiently. He will be one to watch throughout the season, as Ancelotti is likely to give him more opportunities.
Overall, the "debutants" of Real Madrid didn't perform poorly, but the team's improvement was evident in the second half when Rodrygo, Vinicius, and Luka Modric came on. Little by little, Ancelotti will nurture the new signings and give them chances to contribute, ensuring the collective continues to grow.
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