Liga: Diomande gains ground at Real Madrid with first goal
Ivorian forward Yan Diomande scored his first goal for Real Madrid in the 1-0 win over Villarreal on Saturday 10 October at the Santiago Bernabéu, on matchday eight of the Spanish league. The goal could raise his standing in the Madrid squad, particularly relative to Vinícius Júnior, his direct rival on the left wing, who risks a suspension after being sent off during the match.
Rieltony LOUBOKO · Author profile ·
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It took six matches for Real Madrid's new gem, whose €140 million transfer has raised high expectations, to open his account. On his third start, the Ivorian winger repaid the faith of his coach, José Mourinho, by scoring the only goal of the game against Villarreal after the break. Perfectly set up by Federico Valverde, Yan Diomande beat Péter Gulácsi with a cross-shot. The goal was only awarded after a video review, following an offside flag from the assistant referee.
A first goal that could change everything
The 19-year-old forward's first goal marks another step in his settling in at the Spanish club, two months after his arrival. Above all, it is an opportunity for the Ivorian to seize, as he could benefit from Vinícius Júnior's sending-off against Villarreal to keep his place in the starting line-up in the coming games.
The consequences of the sending-off
Details of the match referee's report, revealed by the press, set out the sanctions the Brazilian forward could face after pulling an opponent's hair and then showing his anger when the red card was shown. The incident could see him miss Real Madrid's next matches, notably the Clasico against FC Barcelona, scheduled for Sunday 25 October at the Camp Nou.
Diomande, the saviour
The Spanish outlet AS presents Yan Diomande as a solution to replace Vinícius Júnior. The Ivorian winger could therefore get the chance to shine this week in the Champions League against AS Roma, before returning to the Liga next weekend.
The time has now come for Real Madrid's flagship new signing to justify his hefty transfer fee on the pitch and to establish himself further in José Mourinho's set-up.