Joselu made another telling contribution to help Real Madrid continue their perfect start to the new LaLiga season with a 2-1 win over Real Sociedad.
Espanyol loanee Joselu scored in Madrid’s last-gasp victory over Getafe before the international break a fortnight ago and produced the winner on this occasion to make it five wins from five for Carlo Ancelotti’s side.
Ander Barrenetxea had put Sociedad in front after five minutes but Federico Valverde produced a long-rang special straight after half-time before Joselu’s header on the hour mark clinched all three points for Madrid at Santiago Bernabeu.
Jude Bellingham received the acclaim of the home crowd before kick-off when he was awarded the LaLiga player of the month for August following a stunning start to life in the Spanish capital.
Sociedad silenced the Bernabeu faithful in the fifth minute when Barrenetxea eventually applied the finishing touch to a slick move by the visitors.
After building up play from the back, Kieran Tierney passed into Take Kubo, who crossed in for Barrenetxea and, despite Madrid’s on-loan goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga saving the first effort of the Sociedad attacker, Barrenetxea was first to the rebound to force the ball over the line.
Kubo continued to impress against his old club Madrid and ended a fine first half for the away side with a cheeky nutmeg on Toni Kroos.
The Madrid supporters were on their feet straight after the interval when Valverde sidefooted home from the edge of the area.
It took Ancelotti’s team only 40 seconds of the second half to level when he rifled into the corner after being teed up by Fran Garcia.
Garcia was also the creator in chief for what proved the winner in the 60th minute.
Left-back Garcia was given too much space out wide and clipped in a superb delivery for the unmarked Joselu to head in from six yards for the Spanish veteran’s second goal of the season.
Ancelotti brought off the forward two minutes later with Luka Modric and Eduardo Camavinga introduced and they helped Madrid hold on to secure a fifth straight LaLiga victory this season, but only after Bellingham was denied another goal when his late diving header was stopped by Alex Remiro.
Madrid now turn their attention to the Champions League, which resumes in midweek and the 14-time European Cup winners begin their campaign with a home fixture against Union Berlin on Wednesday.
Mbappe must improve to 'follow Ronaldo's path' at Madrid, says France World Cup winner Candela
Kylian Mbappe can "follow Cristiano Ronaldo's path at Real Madrid" if he works harder, according to former France defender and World Cup winner Vincent Candela.
The former Paris Saint-Germain forward has endured a tricky start to life with Los Blancos since making the switch as a free agent.
Despite scoring eight goals in 16 appearances across all competitions, Mbappe is yet to truly catch fire at Santiago Bernabeu, where his displays have been subjected to widespread criticism.
The France forward has underperformed his season's expected goals (xG) total by 2.04, while he was left out of Les Bleus' squad for their recent Nations League matches after failing to find the net in his last four appearances.
Mbappe is averaging a goal every 166 minutes in all competitions this term, compared to one every 88 minutes in his final campaign with PSG, and was flagged offside eight times during the humiliating 4-0 defeat to Barcelona in October.
Candela, who was part of France's squad that won the 1998 World Cup, says Mbappe must up his game in the Spanish capital.
However, the 51-year-old is confident his compatriot will do that and, if he does, can potentially emulate a Madrid icon, who became the club's leading scorer and won four Champions League titles during his glittering spell.
"He has to work harder in Spain. He can still grow and become a stronger player," Candela said in an interview with RB Sports, via Diario Sport.
"At Real Madrid, Mbappe is a player among others, while at PSG, he was an icon.
"I hope Mbappe can follow Cristiano Ronaldo's path at Real Madrid, but it's too early to compare them. First, he has to win the Champions League, as the Portuguese has done several times."
Serie A side Genoa confirm sacking of head coach Gilardino
Serie A side Genoa have confirmed the departure of their head coach Alberto Gilardino, with Patrick Vieira reportedly on his way in.
Gilardino, a World Cup winner with Italy in 2006, leaves the club with them sitting just one point above the relegation size with 10 points from 12 matches this season.
A former striker who played for clubs including Genoa, Parma, AC Milan and Fiorentina, Gilardino took charge of Genoa in 2022 and helped them earn promotion to the top division before a 11th-place finish during the 2023-24 season.
"The club thanks Gilardino for the goals achieved together over the years and wishes him the best for his career," Genoa said in a statement.
The 42-year-old saw his side salvage a late 1-1 draw against Cesc Fabregas' Como in their last match before the international break.
Genoa were also knocked out of the Coppa Italia in the second round following a defeat to Sampdoria on penalties in September.
Arsenal legend Vieira is set to replace him, according to multiple reports.
The former France midfielder has been out of work since leaving Strasbourg by mutual consent in July.
Doncic backs Mbappe to turn fortunes around at Real Madrid
NBA superstar Luka Doncic has backed Kylian Mbappe to "figure it out" after his underwhelming start to life at Real Madrid.
Mbappe has scored eight goals in 16 games for Madrid in all competitions since joining as a free agent following the expiration of his Paris Saint-Germain contract.
He has gone four matches without a goal – a run that includes losses to Barcelona and Milan – and has been left out of France's latest squad.
However, Dallas Mavericks guard Doncic – a Real Madrid supporter due to his previous ties with the sports club – can see Mbappe turning things around.
"Obviously [their season] could be better," Doncic told Managing Madrid after the Mavericks' win over the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday.
"But when you get a guy like Mbappe, it takes some time to get used to it. We'll figure it out."
Mbappe has scored six goals in 11 LaLiga appearances for Madrid but has underperformed his season's expected goals (xG) total by 2.04.
The forward is averaging a goal every 166 minutes in all competitions this term, compared to one every 88 minutes for PSG in his last of seven seasons in Paris.
Madrid thrashed Osasuna 4-0 last time out in the league to return to winning ways but still trail leaders Barcelona by six points.
Asked about his connections with Madrid, former Los Blancos basketball player Doncic said: "I follow Real Madrid every time.
"I grew up there. They taught me everything, so it's a part of my life. You can call it a secondary home.
"I learned a lot of stuff there and, especially, they gave me a way to be here right now [in Dallas]. I always appreciate that 100%."
Madrid return to action after the international break with a trip to Leganes on Sunday.
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