Real Madrid won a hard-fought game against a difficult Rayo Vallecano team, and the encounter taught us a lot about what to expect for the rest of the season.
It has already been noted how crucial it is for players to be trusted and given time to recover, particularly those who are young and new to the team. These young guns are the most profitable and riskier to work with, and only smart preparation and patience can bring out their best qualities while masking their shortcomings over time.
Eduardo Camavinga is one such player. He has had some major challenges with his gameplay this season and hasn't been able to reach the consistency and comfort he requires. However, as Carlo Ancelotti has already remarked, the player simply needs time to recover and be back at his best.
Another such player at Real Madrid has re-established himself following a string of dismal outings. And he returns with a bang, despite all of his critics and shortcomings.
Aurelien Tchouameni has battled his way back and is better than ever
Only a few weeks ago, Real Madrid's expensive French signing Aurelien Tchouameni was booed by the Santiago Bernabeu crowd. He was blamed for the awful and mostly undeserved loss to AC Milan, and the fans quickly approached to make sure he recalled the performance. And boy, did he remember it.
In the next matches, he continued to fail at his job, resulting in leaks and inconsistent ball defense. He was, to put it kindly, terrible. He was unable to grasp the game's evolution in the way that the coaching staff and team members expected, and as a result, he produced outcomes that were inappropriate for the circumstances.
However, as previously indicated, he was granted time. He was trusted and received the attention he required. He bounced back. Aurelien Tchouameni may have been Real Madrid's most important player from the middle of the pitch in recent games, including today. He was rock-solid and unshakeable.
According to Fotmob, the Frenchman had an impressive 92% passing accuracy versus Rayo Vallecano, with four interceptions, ten defensive actions, and eight ball recoveries. Allow me to state that these figures are not only encouraging, but also a dream for the moment.
These previous performances have finally begun to justify the fee Real Madrid paid for him. He has adapted to the double pivot role and has emerged as one of the most prominent ball flushers from the center. His ball defence was excellent, and he seldom made a mistake in the game against Rayo Vallecano.
And the player's choice of this time for his redemption is the finest. Los Blancos' midfield has not had the greatest of times in the recent past, and a rebirth of this nature bodes well for the future. With the Round of 16 second leg against Atletico Madrid approaching, Real Madrid may finally be able to bet on this card that never stops delivering.
If consistency is not compromised, Real Madrid may have finally struck gold with this guy.