Real Madrid suffered a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Real Betis, despite dominating the match. The decisive goal came from Troy Parrott, while Kylian Mbappé missed a stoppage-time penalty, adding to the frustration for the visitors. Manager José Mourinho stood by his team’s performance, defending his players in the aftermath of the loss. Meanwhile, Ferland Mendy was notably excluded from Real Madrid’s Champions League squad, raising questions about the left-back’s future at the club amid ongoing injury issues.
Off the pitch, Barcelona announced record revenues exceeding €1 billion, yet they remain behind Real Madrid in financial terms. Madrid’s income stands at €1.221 billion, maintaining their lead despite two consecutive seasons without major trophies.
Key Players and Squad Developments
Former Real Madrid defender Fran García praised Jude Bellingham as “the best in the world” at his current level, highlighting the midfielder’s comprehensive impact on the team. Bellingham has been directly involved in four goals this season, underscoring his growing influence. Alongside Bellingham, both Mbappé and Federico Valverde have returned to impressive form, contributing to Mourinho’s early positive impact on the squad. The team has secured three league wins under his guidance, demonstrating renewed focus and resilience.
In a tactical move, Mourinho opted to leave out Ferland Mendy from the Champions League roster, instead favoring academy defenders. This decision reflects the uncertainty surrounding Mendy’s availability and fitness, as well as the club’s reliance on youth talent amidst injury challenges.
During the match against Betis, Real Madrid raised concerns about underinflated balls used at La Cartuja stadium. Goalkeepers Thibaut Courtois, Altay Güler, and Denzel Dumfries were instrumental in prompting three ball replacements within the opening ten minutes. Additionally, Mbappé’s late penalty was not retaken despite an early encroachment by Marc Bartra, as the officials ruled the defender was still airborne at the moment of the kick.
Elsewhere, Franco Mastantuono revealed that Mourinho had advised his loan move from Real Madrid to Fiorentina, emphasizing the importance of regular playing time. Mastantuono also expressed sadness over Lionel Messi’s retirement from international duty with Argentina.