Two penalties from Kylian Mbappe saw Real Madrid to a good start to their UCL campaign. Los Blancos continues perfect record against Les Olympiens.
The hosts started off brightly with Mbappé attempting an acrobatic wide shot. However, there was disappointment when Trent Alexander-Arnold had to leave the game injured. They kept going strong though – by the 10th minute Franco Mastantuono had hit the post. Two of Rodrygo’s attempts were saved by Gerónimo Rulli, who then came out and skillfully denied Mbappé. Les Olympiens were still a threat as Timothy Weah came close to scoring a top corner goal.
Marseille shocked the Santiago Bernabéu in the 22nd minute when Mason Greenwood took out Arda Güler and set up Weah for a shot past Thibaut Courtois. Weah made Courtois work hard with a driven shot soon after. But Geoffrey Kondogbia gave Real a chance to equalize quickly when he tripped Rodrygo, giving away a penalty.
Mbappe on him being the important player for Xabi’s system; ” I’m important,Yes but i think all the team are important. I think that was what he wants to say that every player has to bring something to the table. And thats what we do for the moment. But we know also that we can improve uh we can be better. Its uh just the start of a new project for him, the team, uh for us too. So so we have to learn and listen to what he say and to be better”.
After halftime, Los Blancos came out aggressive on offense. Mbappé’s shot hit the crossbar after deflecting off Aubameyang’s outstretched foot. Then Aubameyang gave Courtois a tough test with a powerful strike on the opposite side. The pace slowed down afterward. Meanwhile, Real’s chances weren’t boosted by Dani Carvajal getting a red card in the 72nd minute for headbutting Rulli. But Marseille faced a bigger blow when Facundo Medina handled the ball going against Vinícius Júnior, leading to another penalty. Mbappé almost slipped it past Rulli.
By: Philip Tandoh
