Espanyol – Real Madrid: Ancelotti’s Men Rated, Valverde Missed the Mark!

Real Madrid endured a frustrating night in Catalonia as they fell to a narrow 1-0 defeat against Espanyol. Despite dominating possession and creating chances, Los Blancos lacked the cutting edge in front of goal. Carlo Ancelotti’s men found themselves undone by a late strike in a match that will be remembered for both its controversial officiating and Real Madrid’s struggles in attack.

With the defeat, Madrid’s lead at the top of La Liga has been significantly reduced. Atlético Madrid’s victory earlier in the day meant that Ancelotti’s side needed all three points to maintain their comfortable advantage. However, a disappointing display, coupled with some questionable refereeing decisions, left Madrid ruing what could be a crucial setback in the title race.

Espanyol, known for their deep defensive setup, executed their game plan to perfection. Sitting back, absorbing pressure, and waiting for a late opportunity, they frustrated Madrid for much of the game. That moment arrived in the 85th minute when a lapse in concentration from Real Madrid’s defense allowed Carlos Romero to fire home the only goal of the game, securing an unlikely win for the Catalan side.

The match was also marred by a poor refereeing performance that left Madrid furious. Several fouls on key players, particularly Kylian Mbappé and Jude Bellingham, went unpunished, while Espanyol’s physical approach was overlooked for much of the encounter. Even a nasty tackle on Mbappé in the second half, which many felt warranted a straight red, was only deemed a yellow-card offense.

Ancelotti, visibly frustrated on the sidelines, tried to inject energy into his team with substitutions, but the changes failed to alter the outcome. Madrid’s attack, which has been lethal in recent weeks, looked out of sync. Mbappé, Rodrygo, and Vinícius Junior found little joy against a disciplined Espanyol backline, and the lack of clear-cut chances highlighted Madrid’s struggles in breaking down low blocks.

Defensively, the night started on the wrong foot for Madrid when Antonio Rüdiger, a key figure at the back, was forced off due to injury within the opening quarter of an hour. His replacement, young Raúl Asensio, performed admirably, but Madrid missed Rüdiger’s leadership and physicality in crucial moments. Aurélien Tchouaméni, once again deployed as a makeshift center-back, had an inconsistent outing, showing his defensive qualities but also making a few costly errors.

Thibaut Courtois, making his return to the starting lineup after injury concerns, had little to do for most of the match but was ultimately left helpless for the goal. He had made a couple of important saves earlier in the game, but Espanyol’s lone real opportunity proved to be decisive.

In midfield, Federico Valverde had a night to forget. The Uruguayan, who has been one of Madrid’s most reliable performers, found himself at the center of controversy as his misjudgment in the 85th minute contributed to the goal. Attempting to block the cross, he instead deflected the ball into the path of Romero, who made no mistake from close range.

Dani Ceballos, given a rare start in the absence of Luka Modrić, controlled possession well but struggled to provide the cutting-edge passes Madrid needed. His substitution late in the game coincided with Madrid conceding, raising questions about whether he should have remained on the pitch.

Jude Bellingham, Madrid’s midfield engine this season, had a quieter night than usual. The Englishman worked hard as always, making runs into the box and pressing relentlessly, but Espanyol’s compact setup restricted his influence. His link-up play with Mbappé was promising but lacked the final touch needed to unlock the defense.

Rodrygo Goes was Madrid’s most dangerous attacker on the night, trying to create openings with his dribbling and movement. However, his finishing let him down, as he squandered one of Madrid’s best opportunities midway through the second half. His performance was energetic but ultimately frustrating.

Vinícius Junior, returning from suspension, was expected to make an impact, but he struggled to get past Espanyol’s full-backs. While his dribbling and speed caused occasional problems, he was often left isolated on the left flank, unable to combine effectively with his teammates.

Mbappé, leading the line, cut a frustrated figure. The Frenchman thrives on space, but with Espanyol sitting deep, he found himself crowded out for most of the match. His few chances were dealt with by the Espanyol goalkeeper, and his frustration was evident as the game wore on.

Despite the disappointing result, Madrid must quickly refocus. With the Madrid derby against Atlético looming next weekend, Ancelotti will need to rally his squad and address the issues that plagued them against Espanyol. The title race is far from over, but this defeat serves as a wake-up call for Los Blancos.

As the dust settles, questions will be asked about Madrid’s ability to break down defensive teams, the ongoing reliance on makeshift defenders, and whether Ancelotti needs to make tactical adjustments. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether this loss was just a blip or a sign of deeper problems.