In a dreary Real Madrid, the English shone brightly. Joselu was considered as willing but out of place, whereas Brahim displayed quality.

When Real Madrid and Milan took the field at the Rose Bowl, all eyes were on Jude Bellingham. The athlete is already dressed in white (albeit he made his debut in dark blue and purple). His initial minutes did not disappoint, as he contributed what the board clearly felt he could. He has the presence, travel, and confidence to ask for it in any situation… So much so that he was named the best player in a Madrid team that was more willful than successful in the first half.

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Firm footstep and a straight back. Neither the time nor the place (70,814 people watched his debut live) nor the 103 million dollar price tag (which will follow him throughout the season) overwhelmed him. Every time he started with the controlled ball, the press box chanted, “He is so good” (“He is very good”). Ancelotti had utilized him as a wild card in recent training sessions, which was a dead giveaway that it was his first day on the job. Some of Madrid’s clearest chances came from his feet, leaving obvious flaws. The most spectacular was a race of absolute class around minute 21, when he literally threw several rivals to the ground and ended with a shot behind a wall with Brahim.

He got along great with both the Malaga man and Valverde. It is difficult to define a zone of influence. He feels quite comfortable in Ancelotti’s false nine position, receiving close to Kroos to help create, falling to the wing, trading places, and, in his specialty, starting from the center of the field with pure force. He received a standing ovation at the end of the game and handed over his position to Nico Paz.

Brahim Daz makes a spectacular redebut next to him. If he can consistently provide this level, he will add a lot of minutes. One of the few weapons that could remove Milan was his electricity and facility for his combination. Of course, when he received outside, it cost him extra. The smaller locations suit his style of play, as he demonstrated with multiple movements before resting for Rodrygo. One of them was on the verge of becoming White’s first goal, thanks to an assist that Joselu missed by centimeters.

Espanyol’s ex did not appear to be at ease. He began with the band, which was outside of his comfort zone. In his first appearances, he astonished with a couple of high-quality details, but he faded as the minutes passed. Of course, his effort in pressing and unchecking is evident, as the white footballer who appeared from the second line who tried the hardest. He, too, was replaced after the first act, this time by Vinicius.