Carreras bounces back with stellar Mestalla showing after tough week at Madrid
Álvaro Carreras responded to being dropped against Rayo with a match-winning performance at Valencia, proving his worth as Real Madrid's left-back option.
After being dropped for the first time this season and watching a midfielder take his position, Álvaro Carreras delivered the perfect response with a goal and MVP performance at Mestalla.
From doghouse to top dog
It’s been a proper week from hell for young Álvaro Carreras at Real Madrid. The left-back was singled out by manager Arbeloa following Madrid’s disappointing defeat to Benfica and then found himself watching the Rayo Vallecano match from the bench - his first La Liga omission of the season.
To make matters worse, it wasn’t even fellow left-back Fran García who replaced him, but midfielder Eduardo Camavinga. Talk about a kick in the Hampstead Heath! This unexpected decision stung Carreras, but rather than sulking, the lad used it as motivation.
Valencia masterclass
Carreras didn’t just return to the starting lineup against Valencia - he absolutely bossed it:
- Scored the crucial opener on 65 minutes with a brilliant individual effort
- Completed 35 of 39 passes in the opposition half
- Successful in both dribble attempts
- Made 5 ball recoveries, 4 clearances and 1 interception
- Named Man of the Match
This was his second goal against Valencia this season, having also netted in the reverse fixture. His performance was particularly impressive given Vinícius Júnior’s absence, which allowed Carreras more freedom to venture forward.
Adapting his game
Since arriving at Madrid, Carreras has focused heavily on improving his defensive capabilities. Playing alongside Vinícius presents unique challenges - defending in numerical disadvantage and having fewer opportunities to attack.
It’s a far cry from his time at Benfica, where he enjoyed greater offensive freedom, notching 5 goals and 6 assists across 68 appearances. At Madrid, defensive solidity comes first.
“For me, it’s very important to keep clean sheets and not allow clear chances for the opposition,” Carreras told RMTV after the match.
The perfect response
Being benched against Rayo was clearly a wake-up call. Hours after that match, Carreras posted a gym workout photo on social media with the simple caption “Working” - a clear statement of intent.
That dedication paid dividends with his match-winning display at Mestalla, which included a special goal dedication to his father Fran, who celebrated his birthday last Thursday.
For a player who was in the bin just days ago, Carreras has shown the perfect mentality to bounce back and stake his claim as Madrid’s first-choice left-back.