On the evening of August 24, at Madrid's Bernabéu Stadium.
In the second round of La Liga, Real Madrid hosted Valladolid.
This was Real Madrid's first appearance at the Bernabéu Stadium this season. It was also Yang Yang's return to the Bernabéu after a year away, so the stadium was packed with Real Madrid fans. Welcome banners for Yang Yang could be seen throughout the stands, and the Merengues in the South Stand had even unfurled a giant photograph of him.
The moment Yang Yang appeared in front of the home team's bench, he instantly became the center of attention.
Although they had secured a crushing victory the previous week, Yang Yang had still adjusted the team's starting lineup and tactics over the course of this week.
Courtois was in goal. The back four consisted of Marcelo, Ramos, De Ligt, and Carvajal. In midfield were Frenkie de Jong, Kanté, and De Bruyne, while the front three were Hazard, Suarez, and Mbappé.
As in the opening match, Hazard still appeared in the attacking midfield position, lurking behind the two strikers, Suarez and Mbappé. The midfield formed an irregular diamond, but one thing was particularly surprising.
Kanté was positioned farther forward than Frenkie de Jong.
Right from the start, Real Madrid seized the initiative and launched a High Press.
Just two minutes in, Hazard broke through down the left and won Real Madrid a corner. Frenkie de Jong took it, and De Ligt headed the ball home from close range at the far post, scoring Real Madrid's opening goal!
In an instant, the entire Bernabéu Stadium erupted!
This was the debut of the Dutch twin stars at the Bernabéu Stadium. After just two minutes on the pitch, they had combined from a corner to score Real Madrid's opener and open the