Real Madrid beat Chelsea 2-1 in their final pre-season friendly in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Tuesday night — but Los Blancos were much more dominant than that scoreline suggested.
More than 50,000 fans were in attendance at the Bank of America stadium, the majority of them supporting Madrid, and Carlo Ancelotti’s team put in an assured performance in which they threatened Chelsea’s backline from the start. It was also their first win of pre-season after losses against AC Milan and Barcelona.
Lucas Vazquez opened the scoring in 19th minute after an encouraging team move — it was given to the right-back despite Dani Ceballos ensuring the ball crossed the line. Brahim Diaz made it 2-0 in the 27th minute, going past newly signed Chelsea goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen before finishing from a tight angle.
Noni Madueke cut the deficit with his 39th-minute header, but Madrid still had chances to extend the scoreline.
Here, Guillermo Rai analyses the key talking points.
How much of an improvement was this from previous games?
It was against a Chelsea side who showed plenty of weaknesses, but this was a significant step up from Madrid’s first two games in the United States.
Ancelotti’s side played with intensity and won most of their duels, with defenders Eder Militao and Vazquez playing as if it were a competitive match. The team has not had as much time to prepare as the coaching staff would like with so much travelling across the country, but they are slowly building momentum ahead of the European Super Cup against Atalanta, which will be played next Wednesday in Warsaw, Poland.
Vazquez (second left) is congratulated after opening the scoring (Pedro Castillo/Real Madrid via Getty Images)
“It was a good game with good rhythm and a clear idea,” Ancelotti said in the mixed zone. “We have the feeling that those who started working here on July 15 are doing well.”
The Italian rested Endrick, Arda Guler and Jesus Vallejo, but Madrid still looked in good shape as they look to claim another piece of European silverware next week.
Are Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo Madrid’s two main threats up front?
They are not at the same level — Rodrygo has yet to get into a rhythm given this was his first game back after the Copa America with Brazil while Vinicius Junior was again his side’s most in-form player — but the Brazilians both showed why Ancelotti relies on them so much.
“Chelsea press a lot up front, they leave space at the back and with the movement of the two of them, they give us a much more vertical game,” said Ancelotti, who ensured his three attackers (Rodrygo, Vinicius Jr and Brahim) changed positions throughout.
The Morocco winger won the man of the match award for his assist for the first goal and for scoring the second, but both came from fine passes from Rodrygo and Vinicius Jr. In both moves, they almost dropped to midfield to collect possession, opening up space up front for Brahim to run into.
Brahim makes it 2-0 after being played in by Vinicius Jr (Pedro Castillo/Real Madrid via Getty Images)
It laid the foundation for Madrid’s win and gave a glimpse of how they might play when it is Kylian Mbappe or Endrick who lead the line rather than Brahim.
Could youngster Martin step up to the first team?
Ancelotti called up 11 players from the academy to fill out his squad in the U.S. Some of them, such as defender Joan Martinez, have made a very good impression, but the only one to start all three games was midfielder Mario Martin — and the coaching staff have let him know they are very pleased with him.
The 20-year-old was overly tentative in the first game against Milan, but he has gone from strength to strength since and put in his most impressive performance against Chelsea. His mission was to work tirelessly on the ball to give balance and to try to win it back when Madrid lost possession. He even produced a long-range shot in the second half which came close to making it 3-1.
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Sources on Ancelotti’s staff — who, like all those cited in this article, asked to remain anonymous to protect relationships — say they see Martin and fellow midfielder Nico Paz as the youngsters who have the best chance of staying with the first team this season. That is also Martin’s goal after captaining Castilla, the club’s reserve side full of youth players.
The board do not see much room for him given there are seven midfielders in Ancelotti’s squad and several La Liga clubs want him, but the Italian has shown he trusts Martin.
What’s next for Lunin?
Another lesson from the tour is that Thibaut Courtois is Madrid’s clear No 1 after returning from his injury problems, far ahead of Andriy Lunin.
The Ukrainian was solid in Courtois’ absence last season, but Ancelotti has started the Belgian in all three pre-season games. He appears back to his best after missing much of the last campaign.
Courtois made two spectacular saves in the Clasico in New Jersey, which showed his reflexes are fully intact. He didn’t have much work to do against his former side Chelsea, but he gave his side confidence with the ball at his feet and in the air. Perhaps he could have done more for Madueke’s header, but that stemmed from errors in defensive coordination rather than the keeper.
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It means there are even more doubts about Lunin’s future. He came on for the second half in Charlotte and played well, but there is still a chance he leaves this summer given he would like more opportunities and knows he may not get them behind Courtois.
Courtois was honest when asked about his counterpart’s situation.
“I’m not the one who decides for him,” he said. “I understand that he played quite a lot last year and he wants to continue playing. He has to choose his path to get the best out of his career. He is a great goalkeeper and he deserves the best.”
(Top photo: Pedro Castillo/Real Madrid via Getty Images)
