Valverde and Bellingham beat Naples in the Champions League

Always accompanied by an epic in the Champions League, with the missile of Fede Valverde in the last stage and the superb game of Jude Bellingham, Real Madrid beat Napoli (2-3) at Maradona at Maradona, their toughest rival in the group, to become the sole leader of C with two wins .

The feeling of offensive supremacy emanated from the game of Jude Bellingham, who with an assist and a goal broke the Neapolitan team that came out convinced that it could harm Real Madrid and that was on the threshold of its reward if it was not. It was for the umpteenth time Valverde’s shot from a distance ended in an own goal by home goalkeeper Alex Meret, a record with efficiency at the level of several, just at the moment when the game was most blocked for Real Madrid, at 2-2 after the home equalizer from eleven meters.

The first phase of the duel in the city of Vesuvius took place in a tense lull, a kind of overture in which both teams measured each other until they warmed up, until they decided to shift into a higher gear and start refueling. With Kroos and Tchouameni very low to facilitate the building work, Real Madrid dominated possession and had the first big chance of the game at the feet of Rodrygo, who after receiving a precise pass from Bellingham, slotted into Meret’s chest.

It was the first major intervention by Bellingham, who once again showed technical and physical superiority, maturity and demeanor unbecoming of a player of his age and someone who recently arrived in the White House. The second was a shot that ended up in the corner, a warning of what was to come.

But after three good approaches from Real Madrid, including a Tchouameni header, came the cold water for Real Madrid, the goal served on a silver platter due to Kepa’s poor start to a corner which left the ball tame. which hit the crossbar and caused the Maradona Stadium to erupt in tears when he saw Ostigard dominate the area and finish off the rebound.

Napoli grew up in that moment, felt like an equal against the most successful team in the competition and believed in an incredible historic victory. But the problem is that this Real Madrid has two stars who, again, did not make the schedule.

It took them eight minutes to find each other after the goal. An action that Vinicius completed, but which was born from the intelligence of Jude Bellingham. The Englishman did not go to press Lobotka directly, he waited for Di Lorenzo to trust himself and to pass in order to press and impose himself with his body, stole high and served for Vini to finish as he knows best, with an inside to far post where his first was. championship game this season. A premiere that fits.
Despite Vinny’s goal, it was Bellingham who made the magic happen in a stadium with a name that carries so much weight. Because the Englishman was the one who wore the most historic ’10’ in Naples and started a slalom from the center of the field that ended with a fine cut inside the area against Ostigardo and a clear shot that turned the game around.
In 15 minutes, Real Madrid corrected the mistake of their goalkeeper, who, yes, took off at the end of the first half and spectacularly headed Osimhen, who had no more chance, perfectly minimized by Nacho and Rudiger.

The work done in the first half with the Nigerian striker was of little use when, as soon as he left the dressing room after the break, VAR alerted the referee to possible handball in the match between Nacho and Osimhen in the penalty area. After a long wait, the referee awarded a penalty kick that was met with loud protests from the Real Madrid players when it came from a rebound.

Zielinski again from the penalty spot, despite García saying the scorer was Osimhen, made no mistake and equalized with a narrow shot that hit the post before getting on the scoresheet.

Napoli then grew hand in hand with its fans. He unleashed a whirlwind of chances led by ‘Kvara’ that put Real Madrid on the ropes, that team that can never be considered dead and against whom nothing can be taken for granted at any time.

Ancelotti’s team regained possession with the entry of Modrić, but Napoli lowered the block and disciplined themselves in defense. Bellingham had a very clean headed chance, with Meret already beaten, but it went wide. The feeling was that Napoli were comfortable, well positioned and waiting for their chance on the counter attack. But Real Madrid have many resources and are always accompanied by an epic in this competition.

And in that, between the barren possessions held back by the Azzurro wall, came Valverde’s shot that silenced the entire southern city once again. A projectile that hit the crossbar and ended up going in after bouncing off Meret.

Another save from Real Madrid in the closing stages to win a competition that feels like its own. Valverde signed Bellingham’s display, which won Maradona’s house and put Real Madrid in the lead with full victories.