Real Madrid just climbed to the very top of the La Liga table after a dominant 4-1 victory over Real Sociedad at the Bernabeu on Wednesday. Kylian Mbappe was an absolute force, bagging a sensational hat-trick, with Vinicius Junior adding another to seal the deal for Jose Mourinho’s squad. This isn’t just a win, it’s their second straight to kick off the new campaign, setting a serious tone.
The Captain’s Take and That Second Half
Coach Jose Mourinho might not have called it a “vintage performance,” but he admitted they “did more than enough.” And honestly, after a 4-1 victory and three points, who’s arguing? Captain Federico Valverde, speaking to RMTV as reported by Diario AS, was clearly buzzing about the win and his team’s spirit. He saw a team “switched on, with a lot of desire.” But he wasn’t afraid to get real, pointing out they “lacked patience when we scored the first goal, to have the ball and hold on to the result.” That’s the kind of honest leadership you want. What changed? A halftime talk that “did us good,” transforming the second half into something “spectacular.” They “emphasised the pressure” and “adjusted it,” leading to a much more comfortable second 45. Sounds like Mourinho and Valverde got them sorted out, didn’t they?
Mbappe’s Thunder and Valverde’s Mandate
Let’s talk about the man of the hour, Kylian Mbappe. Valverde himself set up the Frenchman’s opening goal, and he made it crystal clear what the strategy needs to be going forward. “We have to enjoy Mbappé,” Valverde declared. He’s not wrong! This guy just dropped three goals in one game. Valverde continued, “We have to give him a thousand balls so that he scores a lot of goals, is comfortable and feels happy.” That’s a direct order to the team, a mandate, really. And he’s got the stats to back it up, saying what Mbappe “has done today he has done throughout the year.” If Madrid keeps feeding him, this team is going to light up the scoreboard constantly. You can feel the excitement radiating from Valverde’s words.
This win was huge for Valverde personally too, marking his first match as permanent captain in front of the home Bernabeu crowd since Dani Carvajal’s summer departure. He called it “incredible,” a “day to remember” with his family there. But for him, the main thing was the win, and they delivered. With back-to-back victories and Mbappe looking absolutely unstoppable, the rest of La Liga has to be watching Real Madrid’s early form and wondering how they’re going to contain this kind of firepower. What a start to the season for Mourinho’s squad!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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