Real Madrid suffers in its first European test

Real Madrid suffers in its first European test

The Madrid team, better in the first half, takes advantage of a lucky goal to defeat Naples 2-3

MADRID, 3 Oct. (EUROPA PRESS) -

Real Madrid solved its first major test in the 2023-2024 Champions League this Tuesday with a hard-fought 2-3 victory against the Italian Naples, its theoretical direct rival for first place in Group C, after a match in which after a good first half, suffered when his rival equalized him and could only take the three points with a lucky play.

The Madrid team emerged victorious from Diego Armando Maradona, where they were able to overcome an initial goal through Vinícius Jr and Jude Bellingham, but they lost control when the Serie A champion equalized as soon as the second half began. In that period, he did not feel comfortable, but a carom after a tremendous shot by Valverde ended up giving him the victory.

Carlo Ancelotti did not play much in the eleven for this first big test in the Champions League, keeping Camavinga at left back and putting Rodrygo up front alongside Vinícius instead of Joselu. With these weapons, he almost always controlled the first half at Diego Armando Maradona, supported by an omnipresent Bellingham and a much more explosive '7' than at Montilivi.

Rodrygo enjoyed the first big chance very soon, but his bad moment in front of the rival goal weighed more and he missed a good pass from Bellingham that left him alone against Meret. That strengthened the visitors, who made a couple of scares with a volley from the English midfielder and a header from Tchouaméni after a corner kick.

Napoli, despite a promising start, was somewhat scared by this madridista push, but found themselves with the advantage on the scoreboard. An error in the exit of Kepa Arrizabalaga in a corner was headed by Natan to the crossbar and the rebound was sent to the net by the other centre-back, Ostigar. A new header goal that the 14-time European champion conceded, forced to react.

And he got back into the game thanks to his rival returning the 'favor'. Di Lorenzo made a mistake when releasing the ball, also giving it to Bellingham who quickly gave it to Vinícius so that he could finesse Meret and achieve the tie and allow his team to regain control of the match.

Minutes later the advantage belonged to Real Madrid thanks to its best scorer this season, a Bellingham who showed all his qualities with a burst past the midfield line full of power and overflow to calmly beat the local goalkeeper and score his eighth goal with his new shirt, a third of what he scored in his three seasons with Borussia Dortmund. Napoli then suffered from Vinícius' attacks, but they were also able to tie before the break with a great header from Osimhen, well repelled by Kepa.

After passing through the locker room, the scene quickly changed due to a penalty called by Nacho in a cut against Osimhen after a consultation on the monitor by Clement Turpin. Zielinski did not miss from eleven meters and the locals, and his enthusiastic stands, grew. Ancelotti's team lost control, with Kvaratskhelia appearing and bringing danger with a shot, the same formula that Zielinski tried to test Kepa's concentration.

The leader of LaLiga EA Sports, with Rodrygo missing and Vinícius better monitored, could not take advantage of the spaces left by his rival and Ancelotti tried to calm the rise of the Serie A champion with the return of Modric, for Kroos, and the entry of Mendy for Camavinga on the left side, but the warnings were all local at the moment, with his Georgian winger as the spearhead.

Real Madrid needed to recover the ball to try to cool down the game with long possessions. Thus he once again had a good chance with Bellingham heading wide in a good position a Meret rebound from Vinícius' shot and managed, with some luck, to silence Maradona. Valverde collected a ball in front after a corner kick and his furious shot, after hitting the crossbar, hit Meret's back to enter the goal.

Ancelotti, who shortly before had brought in Joselu to reinforce the attack, introduced Ceballos for Vinícius to control the final push by Rudi Garcia's team. Real Madrid ended up behind, but knew how to defend firmly, except for a final shot by Ostigar, to take three key points in their fight for first place.

--RESULT: NAPLES, 2 - REAL MADRID, 3 (1-2, at half-time).

NAPLES: Meret; Di Lorenzo, Ostigar, Nathan, Olivera (Mario Rui, min.88); Anguissa (Simeone, 88 mins), Zielinski (Raspadori, 75 mins), Lobotka (Cajuste, 88 mins); Politano (Elmas, min.70), Osimhen and Kvaratskhelia.

REAL MADRID: Cape Town; Carvajal, Nacho, Rüdiger, Camavinga (Mendy, min.64); Valverde, Tchouameni, Kroos (Modric, min.64), Bellingham; Vinicius (Ceballos, min.84) and Rodrygo (Joselu, min.75).

1-0, minute 19. Ostigar.

1-1, minute 27. Vinícius.

1-2, minute 34. Bellingham.

2-2, minute 54. Zielinski, penalty.

2-3, minute 78. Meret own goal.

--REFEREE: Clement Turpin (FRA). He cautioned Natan (min.45), for Napoli, and Camavinga (min.28), Bellingham (min.70) and Kepa (min.89), for Real Madrid.

--STADIUM: Diego Armando Maradona.