Real Madrid won a 3-2 victory over the Leganés in an exciting match held in Santiago Bernabéu. It was a meeting that showed moments of great dominance by the white team, but also an outstanding resistance of Leganés. Practically, the party revealed both the strengths and weaknesses of both teams.
Real Madrid
- Tactical provision: Carlo Ancelotti lined up a 4-3-3 with Lunin at the gate; Lucas Vázquez, Raúl Asencio, Rüdiger and Fran García in defense; Camavinga, Modric and Bellingham in the midfield; and Brahim, Güler and Mbappé in attack. After the selection pair, Ancelotti opted for rotations, leaving Vinicius and Rodrygo initially on the bench, relying on Bellingham’s creativity and Mbappé’s verticality.
- Offensive phase: Madrid showed a clear domain in possession (70.6% according to statistics posted in X) and generated 24 shots, although only 7 were at door. The attacks focused on the left band, where Mbappé and Bellingham were associated with Fran García, while Güler tried to overflow on the right without so much success. The first goal came from a controversial criminality converted by Mbappé, and the third, also from Mbappé, after a controverted fault on the front.
- Defensive phase: The white team showed fragility in the fold, especially after the break, when the Leganés with the goals of Juan Cruz and Diego García. The defensive line, with Asencio as a novelty, suffered from the high pressure of Leganés and left spaces that the visitors took advantage of with rapid transitions.
- Tactical Key: The entry of Vinicius and Rodrygo in minute 62 revitalized the attack, and the change to a more dynamic block allowed Madrid to regain control in the final section, culminating in the decisive goal of Mbappé.
Leganés
- Tactical provision: Borja Jiménez raised a 4-2-3-1 with Dmitrovic on portorium; Rosier, Sergio González, Nastasic and Javi Hernández in defense; Tapia and Neyou on the double pivot; Juan Cruz, Óscar Rodríguez and Raba on the line of three; and Diego García as reference above. The scheme sought defensive solidity and quick exits to the contragolpe.
- Offensive phase: The Leganese left all of them boquiabiertos by turning a 1-0 against rest. Juan Cruz and Diego García were able to take advantage of Madrid’s defensive errors, demonstrating a very effective high pressure and excellent reading of the spaces. They generated 1.46 expected goals (xG), which shows their risk capacity despite having less possession, with 29.4%.
- Defensive phase: At first, the Leganés did a good job holding Madrid, but the lack of effectiveness in the area and some arbitral decisions ended up tilting the balance. Sergio Gonzalez jumped with crucial detachments, as one that faced Bellingham, but the defense crumbled in the last few minutes.
- Tactical Key: The intensity in the pressure and rapid transitions were the best of Leganés, although the late changes of Jimenez (minute 83 and 86) did not manage to keep the tie.
Polemics and Possible Legans Robbery
The party was marked by several controversial arbitral decisions that generated outrage in the Leganés and fueled the narrative of a possible “robo”. These are the most outstanding plays:
- Penalti a Favor del Real Madrid (1-0, min. 11):
- Description: González Fuertes pointed out penalti for a contact between Óscar Rodríguez and Arda Güler in the area. The images show a mild shock with the hip, with no clear intention of breaking down, and Güler seems to exaggerate the fall.
- Impact: Mbappé converted the penalti, opening the marker. The Leganese described the action as “non-existent” in its official report, and the press, as SportHe agreed that “it didn’t seem as strong” as to pit it.
- Penalty Not Sueded for Leganés (min. 64):
- Description: Diego García falls in the area after a contact with Bellingham, who seems to be working without going to the ball. Neither the referee nor the VAR reviewed the move.
- Impact: With 2-2 on the scoreboard, this possible penalty could change the course of the party. Leganés published X images denouncing the action, and media like AS and Brand brand They pointed out that it was “more penalti” than the pitado to Güler.
- Lack before 3-2 (min. 80):
- Description: Renato Tapia receives yellow for a supposed lack on Rodrygo on the front. Repeats show that Tapia plays the ball cleanly before contact. From that fault was born the goal of Mbappé, a shot that struck the barrier.
- Impact: This goal sentenced the game. Borja Jiménez and the club protested angryly, and in X he described himself as “a lack that is not” (a lack that is not) (ArcaFutbolera).
- Other Political Actions:
- No Bellingham Expulsion: In the play of the possible penalti to Diego García, some analysts in X (Cruyffoholic) argued that Bellingham deserved red for staggering the front without a ball dispute.
- Out of Dudose Game: The second goal of Madrid (annuated by the VAR) was discussed by the position of Camavinga, although the final decision was correct.
Statements by Players and Trainers
- Carlo Ancelotti (Real Madrid): “It was a complicated game after the pavilion. We suffer, but we win thanks to the quality of our players. Mbappé is in a great moment. I do not enter the arbitration polemics, each one has his opinion.” Ancelotti avoided valuing the controversial moves, focusing on victory.
- Kylian Mbappé, Real Madrid: “I’m happy for goals, it’s lucky to play with the best in the world. We worked these plays in training, and today it went well.” Mbappé highlighted his contribution without mentioning the polemics.
- Borja Jiménez (Leganés): “It has not been the best day of the referee. The 1-0 penalty is not clear, and the lack of 3-2 does not exist, Renato plays ball. We ask the club to raise the voice, this cannot go on like this.” Jimenez showed his frustration and called for institutional action.
- Renato Tapia (Leganés): On social networks, he posted: “With everything and against all, let’s go Lega,” making clear his disqualification with arbitration.
Opinion of the World Sports Press
The international and national press highlighted the controversy and reinforced the perception of arbitral aids to Real Madrid:
- Spain:
- AS: “The Madrid won with controversy. The penalti to Güler and the lack of 3-2 outraged the Leganés, who deserved more. “
- Sport: “Another arbitration scandal favors Madrid. Two decisive plays marked by Gonzalez Fuertes errors.”
- Brand brand: “The Leganese presents evidence of an unsuitable criminality. The party will bring in line for the arbitral decisions. “
- World of Sports: “Mbappé saved a party that the referee bowed to Madrid with questionable decisions.”
- International:
- L’Équipe (France): “Mbappé shines, but Real Madrid benefits from generous arbitration. The Leganese has reason to complain.”
- The Guardian (United Kingdom): “A party full of controversy in Madrid. Arbitral decisions eclipsed a competitive duel. “
- ESPN (Global): “The Madrid is still in the fight for LaLiga, but the Leganese complaints about arbitration are a constant echo against the whites.”
- Olé (Argentina): “Real Madrid wins with the help of the referee. The penalti and the final fault, a gift for those of Ancelotti. “
The global narrative agrees that, although Madrid had more opportunities, the arbitral decisions were decisive and fuel the historical debate about supposed aids to the white club.
MVP of the Party
Kylian Mbappé took the recognition as the best player of the meeting. His two goals (one of penalti and one of fault) were decisive for the victory of Real Madrid. With 12 goals in the last 10 League matches, the French demonstrated their ability to define in key moments, although their overall performance was discreet in the creation (heat map concentrated on the left flank). Bellingham and Brahim contributed little, and Güler went unnoticed, making Mbappé’s impact even more noticeable.
Analysis
Real Madrid had a clear advantage in statistics such as possession and shooting, but his game was a bit inconsistent. They started well in the first half, but that energy faded after rest. On the other hand, the Leganés fought bravely, getting back and almost empathizing, which would have been a fair result considering his tactical effort. However, some arbitral decisions favored Madrid, which left visitors and their fans with a sense of injustice.
This party reinforces the idea that, although Madrid did not shine, it manages to add points thanks to its individual quality, especially with players like Mbappé, and, according to some critics, to arbitral errors that benefit them. For Leganés, this defeat is a hard blow in his struggle to stay in the category, but his performance shows that they can compete with the big ones. The debate on arbitration in Spain will remain a hot topic, with Real Madrid again at the center of the dispute.
