The powers that be at the Santiago Bernabeu can breathe a singular sigh of relief following a hard scrabble victory on Sunday evening. Real Madrid ret...
The powers that be at the Santiago Bernabeu can breathe a singular sigh of relief following a hard scrabble victory on Sunday evening. Real Madrid returned to winning ways with a 2. 0 conquest of Espanyol at the RCDE Stadium, a result that has kept their very slim La Liga title hopes flickering in the wind. A draw or defeat would have confirmed Barcelona as champions of Spain right then and there, but now the hated Catalans must wait until El Clasico next weekend to potentially pop the champagne. For the Los Blancos faithful, this was not a matter of style but of sheer survival. Speaking exclusively to GoalZaza after the match, former Real Madrid stalwart and current youth coach Alvaro Arbeloa addressed the mounting pressure on his squad. With the spectre of Kylian Mbappe looming large over the club, and the sensational form of Vinicius Junior constantly under the microscope, Arbeloa was in no mood for doubts.. �I do not doubt the commitment of my players for one second,. � he declared with the fire of a man who has worn the famous white jersey. He insisted that every man on that pitch gave a good account of themselves in a contest that demanded resilience above all else. Vinicius Junior, the Brazilian magician, once again proved to be the lion. �s share of Real Madrid. �s attacking threat. His direct running and clinical finishing gave the Espanyol defence a torrid evening. However, the ever present chatter about the arrival of Kylian Mbappe continues to swirl. When pressed on how the French superstar would fit into the current dynamic, Arbeloa was measured but firm.. �At the end of the day, great players find a way to play together,. � he said, refusing to entertain any narrative of discord.. �We focus on the players we have now, and they are giving everything.. � For the many Nigerian fans who hold Real Madrid dear despite the absence of a Super Eagles star in their starting eleven, this victory is merely a stay of execution. The title race, in the scheme of things, remains firmly in Barcelona. �s hands. Yet, the spirit shown by Arbeloa. �s men gives hope that El Clasico will not be a coronation but a proper battle. The club. �s ability to grind out results when their backs are against the wall is a hallmark of champions, even if the championship itself appears to be slipping away. Down in the bustling viewing centres of Surulere and Ikeja, the atmosphere was a curious mixture of tension and loud celebration. When the final whistle blew inside the RCDE Stadium, the collective roar from fans clad in replica Madrid jerseys could be heard spilling out onto the streets of Lagos. Aunty Bose, who runs a popular viewing centre in Yaba, was seen shaking her head in relief.. �Eh, if them don lose today, Barcelona for don open party for here. This is only a postponement of the judgement, but we will take it o. Next week El Clasico, we go see who get the last laugh,. � she declared as patrons ordered another round of soft drinks. The hope, however faint, is that Madrid can still force a grandstand finish in the final weeks of the campaign.
