Diomande's first goal beats Villarreal, Vinicius sees red

Diomande's first goal, ten men, three points

Real Madrid 1–0 Villarreal at the Bernabéu on Saturday, and Yan Diomande scored it (1) (2) (6). His first goal for the club, in the 62nd minute, and it came with your team down to ten men (2) (6). Alex Freeman's mistake handed you the winning goal (11).

It was not pretty. It was three points. You sit third on 18 points from eight games, +11 (1). Next up is AS Roma away in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Vinicius lost a goal and got a red in the same moment

The 72nd minute was the strangest minute of the season. Vinicius Junior had a goal ruled out and was sent off in the same incident (1) (7). One VAR decision, both outcomes.

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That is the talking point from Saturday, and it is not going away soon.

Mourinho skipped the press conference

Jose Mourinho did not show up to the post-match press conference after beating Villarreal. Spanish radio station Cadena COPE reported the reason: comments he made could have led to a suspension (3).

Another narrow win that does not answer the tactical questions around his system (5) (10). The results keep coming. The doubt does not shift.

Rüdiger put in 17 defensive actions

Antonio Rüdiger produced 17 defensive actions in the Villarreal win (4). Trent Alexander-Arnold, Arda Güler and Diomande were among the standout performers on the night (4).

Mourinho blocked Pitarch's move to Fulham

Thiago Pitarch did not leave for Fulham this summer, and Mourinho is the reason (5). He wanted the 19-year-old kept at the club rather than sold to the Premier League (5).

Endrick's minutes, and a six-month loan on the table

Endrick is still short on minutes, and Real Madrid are still weighing a six-month loan in January (8). AS Roma and AC Milan are in the mix alongside Lyon (8).

Roma in midweek is the kind of fixture that makes that file more interesting.

Madrid deny Olise contact as Bayern plan a new deal

Real Madrid deny any contact over Michael Olise (9). Bayern Munich are planning a contract extension until 2031 (9).

Christian Falk on the German club: "Le Bayern est un club acheteur, pas un club vendeur," meaning Bayern are buyers, not sellers (9).

Fan reactions

The subreddit is split between two moods. Vinicius Junior's red card dominates, with reports he will miss El Clásico against Barcelona, and Jude Bellingham's "Always on your side" message to him is the post fans are sharing most.

Diomande's tribute to his sister after his first La Liga goal is the other thread everyone has open.

Vinicius red and El Clásico

Sources

  • 1. bernabeudigital.com — El Real Madrid sufre para ganar y el FC Barcelona disfruta
  • 2. goal.com — Like Hakimi and Vinicius: Diomande carves his name into Real Madrid history
  • 3. africasoccer.com — Mourinho avoided Villarreal press conference to protect Real Madrid return
  • 4. managingmadrid.com — Top 10 players: Real Madrid 1-0 Villarreal
  • 5. sport.fr — Real Madrid : Mourinho a pris une très grosse décision pour cette pépite
  • 6. africasoccer.com — Yan Diomande joins elite Real Madrid list with first La Liga goal
  • 7. africasoccer.com — Vinicius Junior sent off as Real Madrid goal is ruled out in unique VAR incident
  • 8. sport.fr — OL : le retour d’Endrick sera difficile, les cadors de Serie A sont sur le coup
  • 9. sport.fr — Michael Olise, le feuilleton n’est pas terminé
  • 10. africasoccer.com — Real Madrid’s narrow Villarreal win fails to answer Mourinho’s tactical questions
  • 11. socceramerica.com — Americans Abroad (Spain): Freeman mistake costly against Real Madrid
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