Once again, Real Madrid were unable to build on a Clasico win. Also because Jude Bellingham had other problems against Rayo Vallecano
Once again, only Jude Bellingham was celebrated at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, albeit before kick-off. As in August, the England star was named La Liga player of the month for October, and Bellingham accepted the trophy with a slightly pained smile.
It was a fitting tribute to the performance of the Whites, who remain reliant on the 20-year-old. Fede Valverde and Vinicius Junior, who had extended his contract during the week, were unfocused and missed top-class opportunities, while the Spanish record champions otherwise struggled against an often deep-lying opponent.
Bellingham was unable to make the difference this time, looking slightly restricted after falling painfully on his shoulder in the first half and having to be treated for several minutes. Vinicius Junior, Joselu, substitute Rodrygo, also on a new contract – the other attackers were unable to step into the breach for Bellingham.
The sluggishness, the lack of ideas, that slightly tortured look: all too typical symptoms for Real Madrid when they win a big game like the Clasico and then have to deal with a less spectacular, compulsory task like the home game against Rayo Vallecano a week later. It was the classic Clasico hangover: Real have only won their next game after two of their last seven victories over their arch-rivals. The ultimate form of tension release
Barça got the late lucky punch
Coach Carlo Ancelotti didn’t seem to mind afterwards. “If we had to win one of the two games, I would have preferred to win against Barcelona than against Rayo,” said the Italian, keeping a straight face.
After all, the Whites are no longer top of the table – the new leaders are the surprise team FC Girona. And their four-point lead over Barça has also melted away to two points. The Catalans could easily have lost at Real Sociedad on Saturday, but scored a 1-0 winner in stoppage time despite a poor performance. Neither Bellingham nor anyone else managed that in Madrid
