Real Madrid<\/a> may have made hard work of it, but they picked up another three points on Tuesday after defeating Elche 3-2<\/a>. Goals from Matias Dituro (OG), Kylian Mbappe<\/a> and Carlos Espi got the job done for Jose Mourinho\u2019s side, who have gone level with arch rivals Barcelona at the top of the La Liga<\/a> standings. Here are five main takeaways from events at the Estadio Manuel Mart\u00ednez Valero.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Things simply are not coming off for Vinicius right now. The match against Elche was another one where he tried hard, but his application was poor \u2013 and this has been the case for much of the 2026-27 season so far.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n He\u2019s clearly feeling the pressure of the Real Madrid supporters being on his back, and Mourinho cannot afford for him to be carried by his teammates. Right now, it is hard to make a case for him continuing as an undisputed starter, especially with a number of his teammates being on better form than he is right now.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n One of those teammates is Guler, who deservedly won the MVP award against Elche<\/a>. The 21-year-old was in top form at the Estadio Manuel Mart\u00ednez Valero, with the truth being that he\u2019s been one of Real Madrid\u2019s better players since the start of the season.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n He was used centrally against Elche, although he\u2019s likely to return to the right side of attack given that Bellingham is an undisputed starter. He\u2019s got competition there too, but he is surely the best-placed to make that position his own, given how he\u2019s performed there against the likes of Real Sociedad and Real Betis in recent weeks.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Guler\u2019s form is bad news for Diomande, although the big-money summer signing is staking his claim for a regular starting spot right now. His performance in the weekend win over Rayo Vallecano was impressive, but he was arguably even better against Elche, as he notched his first assist in Real Madrid colours for Mbappe\u2019s goal.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Diomande has contributed well to Real Madrid\u2019s attack, but equally as impressive has been his willingness to help out in defence. Taking this all into account, it is not controversial to say that he deserves to start more than Vinicius at this stage, and it will be interesting to see what Mourinho does for Sunday\u2019s Madrid derby.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n When it became clear that Gonzalo Garcia would be leaving Real Madrid for Fulham, Mourinho pushed hard to sign a classic number nine profile \u2013 citing Joselu\u2019s impact under Carlo Ancelotti in the 2023-24 season. He appears to have got his own version in Espi, who has already been much a difference-maker since joining in the summer from Levante.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n He scored the winner in the opening matchday victory at Espanyol, while he was unlucky not to save a point against Betis. His strike late on at the Estadio Manuel Mart\u00ednez Valero means he\u2019s already won four points for Real Madrid, and that could be so crucial when the points are tallied at the end of the 2026-27 season.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n It is now three matches in a row where Real Madrid have gone into half time with a comfortable lead, before immediately ceasing control to their opponents. They got away with it against Inter Milan and Rayo, but it always cost them dearly at Elche, but for Espi\u2019s late winner.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Blowing a two-goal lead is something that Real Madrid rarely do, so it is no wonder that Mourinho is worried<\/a> about his side\u2019s ability to manage in-game situations. Work will need to be done on the training ground, which is why the international break \u2013 which starts after this weekend\u2019s matches \u2013 comes at a good time for the Portuguese.<\/p>\n<\/div>\nVinicius Junior<\/a> can surely no longer be an undisputed starter\u2026<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
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\n\u2026but Arda Guler<\/a> should be<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
Yan Diomande makes his case once again<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Carlos Espi is quickly becoming Mourinho\u2019s Joselu<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Second half drop-off is becoming a major issue<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
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