Real Madrid post-match observations on dia win over Elche don focus on Diomande, Trent, Güler, Vinicius Jr and Jose Mourinho substitutions.
Diomande performance dey eventful, and 90% of am really good. Di bad 10% na say e get habit of lunging in when opposing wingers take am on, instead of holding im position and keeping those wingers in front of am. E also show some naivety on Elche second goal. Marc Cucurella na im initially give ball away, but Diomande for help team better by tracking Josan Ferrandez.
Di other 90% na wetin worth focus: Diomande run himself into ground for Jose Mourinho, e be two-way freak on wing, and e can break lines. E equally good on both wings. You really see am come alive when Vinicius Jr comot and Diomande shift go left. Brahim Diaz no show at all on right, because all play funnel through Diomande on opposite side.
Diomande join new team wey get four established attacking stars with seniority. As e dey settle with teammates and puff im chest out, we go see am dust wing-backs and produce goals. Denzel Dumfries don dey that exact position before but e no fit execute that pass. Trent dey do am blindfolded. Plenty things Trent no good at, and dem virtually all on defensive end. But that pass? Na im money-maker. E take excellent positions in first half, for right half space, where im dribbling and passing open space for Kylian Mbappe and Diomande.
Observation tok say Dumfries go start against Atletico Madrid. Concerns about Trent defense dey, but Trent need continuity as starter. If not, no expect am to reach im best. Güler comfortably lead Europe in chances created. Two reasons e fit no lead entire continent in assists by end of campaign: teammates no go finish chances, or Mourinho no go start am every game.
Elche game no be merely fatigue issue. Mourinho make all five subs, but three of dem almost too late. Luck dey say Carlos Espi score despite coming in with just three minutes to go. How many times dem go expect Espi to bail team out with only few minutes to prove himself? And why dem go risk that? Why dem no go expect am score more goals if dem simply increase im minutes and pump balls into am? E currently dey one goal per 13 minutes. That insane and no sustainable, but e clearly get ability to cause wahala.
Second half issues na mental struggles rather than physical struggles. Press good against Elche for first half, but e no balls-to-the-walls enough to suffer physical breakdown. Bigger concern na say players subconsciously fall into trap say game don dust and dem fit coast. ‘2-0 up against Elche? 3-0 up against Rayo? Let us just sit back and end this game 10-0 by hitting dem with counter attacks with their defense open.’ Those approaches only work if you truly ready to put foot on opponents neck. Passivity go lead to complacency and invite pressure.
Vinicius Jr don become shell of himself. E be player wey work really hard but can’t dribble past anyone and get zero confidence in front of goal. Prime Vinicius would undress best right-backs in world. Current Vinicius dey get locked up by Hector Bellerin, Buba Sangaré, and Dejan Ljubičić. Last night, e no complete single dribble. La Pausa observe say dem love Vinicius defensive effort, but dem also think bar low if dem lean on such basic things.
Jose Mourinho dey really tough situation. On one hand e dey desperately try bring best version of Vinicius back. On other hand time dey tick on how much e can wait when other hungry attackers dey produce offensively and also work hard defensively.
