Real Madrid brought in six new players this season. In truth, only two of them, Jude Bellingham and Arda Güler, made their financial impact felt on the pitch. Fran García and Brahim Díaz avoided major trouble, while Kepa Arrizabalaga and Joselu joined on loan. The squad still spent too much time hovering in the middle of the table and faltered in front of goal. Yet this underwhelming spell managed to beat Las Palmas, a club with clear vulnerabilities, thanks to goals from Brahim and Joselu—symbols of a Real Madrid that values decency even when luxury remains out of reach.
Carlo Ancelotti continues to shuffle Madrid’s XI day by day, chasing a missing spark. The team’s scoring touch has slipped, and the posters ahead of the Las Palmas game announced Rodrygo, Brahim, and Joselu as the attacking trio. Bale remains part of a trident distant from the Benzema era and the Ronaldo-dominated BBC days. This snapshot captures Madrid’s current reality. The Brazilian winger flickered with uncertainty, the striker wrestled for stability, and the Malaga forward earned trust only through persistence. Bellingham watched these developments unfold from the sidelines during a break. — cited from Club archives
Ancelotti’s despair
The first 45 minutes blended moments of brilliance with obvious vulnerability, and a goal still found its way through. Rodrygo squandered a clear chance, Joselu created noise around the box, and Brahim rushed a one-on-one with Álvaro Vallés, who blocked the attempt. Ancelotti’s arms rose in exasperation as chance after chance slipped away. The coach now faces the task of guiding his forwards through a trying spell. Rumors suggest Mbappé could loom large in his future plans. — cited from match reports
Madrid faced Las Palmas, a side with a history of trouble at the Bernabéu. The visitors showed a solid base and better intent, yet their defensive discipline lagged. That lapse fed Joselu’s growing frustration as every opportunity slipped away. Never before had Ancelotti exposed his team’s errors so plainly: hands to the face, a head shake, a sigh of helplessness. The scoreline remained 0-0 at the break, and Vallés’s side carried the payroll burden in the first half, signaling Madrid’s fragility. In the second half, Brahim found the breakthrough with a confident right-footed finish as his leg ached. It proved more than a goal; it felt like a lifeline for Ancelotti, who had spent the opening period perched on the edge of the bench in reaction to attacking misfires. — cited from arena notes
Two teams collide as Brahim pierces the Las Palmas wall. #LALIGAEASPORTS #LaCasaDelFútbol pic.twitter.com/b36Cg0J3Jc
— Football on Movistar Plus+ — cited from broadcast archive
The second half brought Madrid some relief. Joselu headed in from Rodrygo’s cross, a goal that carried both tenacity and justice for a striker who keeps pushing despite occasional limitations. With the strikes finally finding their mark, Ancelotti acknowledged the moment with a gesture of calm appreciation as he stepped aside to let the crowd applaud. The return of Vinícius Júnior and Dani Ceballos from injuries added a glimmer of optimism amid stubborn realism. — cited from post-match notes
From surrender to illusion
The 2-0 result eased the pressure on a game that would otherwise be remembered for tactical dullness. Las Palmas moved the ball with intent, Madrid chased, and the Whites shifted from exuberance to hard work, then to uncertainty. The scene required Carletto to navigate a squad still maturing, with tactical options that did not spark unshakable confidence. It is a season in need of clear direction and balance. — cited from game analysis
The statistics paint a familiar portrait: Madrid often played with a cool edge, yet still collected more wins than losses across the campaign. The team, once famed for its thrilling attacks, now navigates days that feel heavy and uncertain. In this stretch, Cristiano tried to lift the goal tally while Benzema’s creative flourishes were absent. Still, Ancelotti’s first win of the period arrived with controlled emotion and strategic adjustment. It wasn’t a symphony, but it carried an undercurrent of resilience. — cited from game summaries