Real Madrid Player Ratings: Bellingham Saves the Day Against Elche

Real Madrid player ratings took center stage as Jude Bellingham once again rescued Los Blancos in a dramatic 2-2 draw with Elche. Despite Bellingham’s heroics, Real Madrid were left frustrated after a tense encounter at the Estadio Martinez Valero, as Xabi Alonso’s side failed to capitalize on their attacking talents and dropped valuable La Liga points.

Real Madrid Player Ratings: Bellingham Shines Amid Defensive Lapses

Real Madrid’s night began on the back foot, with Elche dictating much of the early tempo. Thibaut Courtois was called into action several times, producing key saves to keep the scores level as Elche broke forward with intent. Despite flashes of quality, Madrid’s defense looked uncertain. Raul Asencio was caught out of position, while Alvaro Carreras struggled to adapt within a back three, often unsure whether to protect the wings or cover centrally.

Dean Huijsen offered a rare bright spark in defense, not only holding his ground at the back but also getting on the scoresheet after a crucial Bellingham flick from a set-piece. Courtois, rated 6/10 for the evening, may feel he could have done better on one of the Elche goals, but his first-half performance kept Madrid in the contest.

Bellingham and Midfield Dynamics

Jude Bellingham was the heart of Real Madrid’s midfield, scoring the vital equalizer and providing a superb assist for Huijsen. His box-to-box energy, defensive contributions, and crisp passing were critical throughout the match. Bellingham’s leadership shone through, underlining his growing influence since joining Los Blancos.

Trent Alexander-Arnold showed flashes of brilliance with energetic movement and quality distribution, but his defensive lapses left Madrid exposed, particularly on Elche’s opening goal. Dani Ceballos struggled to impose himself, frequently bypassed by Elche’s direct play, while Arda Guler’s deeper role wasn’t an ideal fit, leaving him outmuscled and isolated without Aurelien Tchouameni’s usual cover. Fran Garcia added width but failed to connect meaningfully with the attack.

Mixed Night for Real Madrid’s Attackers

Kylian Mbappe led the line energetically, registering several dangerous runs and forcing a smart save from Inaki Pena in the first half. He later provided the clever assist for Bellingham’s equalizer, underlining his impact despite not finding the net himself. Rodrygo, making his first start since October, showed flashes but couldn’t assert himself in the final third.

From the bench, Vinicius Jr added pace and directness but lacked end product, while Federico Valverde worked hard without making a decisive impact. Eduardo Camavinga brought energy and bite to midfield, adding some much-needed forward thrust late in the second half.

Elche Frustrate Real Madrid With Resilience

Elche’s tactical discipline frustrated the visitors. The hosts repeatedly threatened on the break, and their opening goal came from a swift exchange that carved open the Madrid defense, with Aleix Febas applying the finishing touch. Even after Madrid equalized, Elche reclaimed the lead through Alvaro Rodriguez’s stunning long-range effort, punishing his former club.

Madrid responded through Bellingham, who calmly finished from Mbappe’s cutback, but the team couldn’t find a winner despite a flurry of late chances—including a missed sitter from substitute Gonzalo Garcia.

Xabi Alonso’s Tactical Gamble and Real Madrid’s La Liga Implications

Manager Xabi Alonso’s decision to switch to a 3-4-2-1 formation brought both opportunities and vulnerabilities. While Madrid showed spirit to come from behind twice, their lack of control in midfield and defensive uncertainty highlighted ongoing issues. With every point vital in the La Liga title race, the missed opportunity against Elche could weigh heavily.

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Opinion: Real Madrid Must Find Consistency

Jude Bellingham’s performance underlines just how vital he has become for Real Madrid, but the team’s overall display raises questions about defensive discipline and tactical identity under Xabi Alonso. Dropping points against Elche exposes vulnerabilities that must be addressed if Los Blancos hope to secure La Liga glory. The resilience is there, but consistency will be the key moving forward.