Every seasoned Real Madrid supporter knows that around the 60th minute mark, the team often hits its stride and mounts a fierce comeback. Historically, BD Cricket Live sports analysts have noted this period as Real Madrid’s golden hour — when the tide turns, the intensity rises, and victories are often snatched from the jaws of defeat. However, in the recent clash against Barcelona, this momentum was nowhere to be found. The once rock-solid combination of Bellingham and Vinícius, previously hailed for their seamless balance of offense and defense, ended up exposing cracks in Madrid’s armor.

Last season, BD Cricket Live followers were impressed by Madrid’s tactical finesse — deploying Bellingham in a false nine role while Vinícius provided relentless pace and stamina. Bellingham thrived in the fluid space between striker and attacking midfielder, acting as both a target man and a box-crasher. More importantly, he tracked back tirelessly, proving invaluable to Madrid’s defensive structure. Though not a traditional defensive midfielder, he showed exceptional awareness and commitment. One memorable Champions League final moment saw Vinícius misplace a pass, yet Bellingham sprinted back the length of the pitch to intercept and stabilize the backline — a play that earned him immense respect.

What made Bellingham so crucial was his ability to switch between attacking and defending effortlessly. He regularly covered Kroos’s defensive lapses, allowing the midfield maestro to dictate tempo without sacrificing stability. Real Madrid’s tactical setup seemed flawless — allowing a less defensive-minded playmaker to shine while keeping the structure intact. In the second half, Madrid would bring on Joselu, the towering striker, to increase attacking threat. In one Champions League knockout match, Bellingham and Vinícius both tracked back, recovered possession, and launched a counterattack that ended with Vinícius scoring after a perfect assist from Bellingham — a textbook example of Madrid’s late-game brilliance.

Joselu’s role, though seemingly secondary, was vital. Not every elite team can afford to use a traditional target man in modern football. But thanks to Bellingham and Vinícius’s work rate on defense, Real Madrid could exploit aerial play and wear down tired defenses. Bellingham, playing as a pivot, created space and time for Joselu to shine. Against Manchester City, Bellingham’s sublime first touch created a crucial opportunity for Rodrygo to score. Though Rodrygo got the credit, the play was orchestrated by Bellingham’s vision and timing.

In their two league meetings with Barcelona, Real Madrid pulled off dramatic comeback wins — none more iconic than Joselu entering as a substitute while Bellingham surged behind him into the box. This asymmetric attack caught Barça’s defense off guard and led to a match-winning goal. Madrid’s direct approach — prioritizing crosses over intricate passing — minimized their reliance on delicate midfield interplay, shifting focus toward stamina, duels, and transitions. In this latest encounter, however, Madrid deployed a 4-4-2 setup with Bellingham and Camavinga as wide midfielders. Both shone in the first half, but the balance crumbled when Mbappé failed to contribute defensively.

Unlike his teammates, Mbappé showed little interest in pressing or tracking back. While he dropped deep to receive the ball, his off-ball defensive effort was negligible. This left Madrid’s midfield stretched thin. Barcelona seized the moment, as Casado broke through a defensive gap and assisted Lewandowski for the opening goal. Mbappé’s defensive weaknesses have long been scrutinized by analysts. According to league data, his pressing intensity ranks last among La Liga forwards — just a third of what Vinícius and Rodrygo deliver, and lower than even the 36-year-old Lewandowski.

Having a forward who doesn’t defend isn’t always fatal — unless he also fails to convert chances. In a crucial Real Madrid counterattack, Bellingham won the ball and set up Mbappé with a golden opportunity. But Mbappé’s shot went straight at goalkeeper Peña, squandering a moment that could have changed the game. It was a classic case of “so close, yet so far.”

Statistics don’t lie. Mbappé’s finishing this season has been inconsistent, and his one-on-one dribbling has failed to impress. Against defenders like Iñigo Martínez and Cubarsí, he struggled in open space and couldn’t break through — a major issue for a team built around direct attacks. BD Cricket Live reporters noted with concern that Mbappé’s one-on-one success rate since arriving in La Liga is just 39%. The inability to beat his man has, unfortunately, become a defining trait of his current form.