The day after Casemiro's departure to Manchester United, the people of Madrid found their smiles again thanks to a penalty from Karim Benzema (14th) and a jewel signed Luka Modric (42nd), who also served Vinicius in depth in the 56th before a last goal by Fede Valverde (66th), while Iago Aspas had equalized at 1-1 from a penalty (23rd).

Abandoned by his Brazilian sidekick and by Toni Kroos (sick), and flanked by the two young Frenchmen Aurélien Tchouaméni and Eduardo Camavinga in the middle of the field, the veteran Modric, 37 years old on September 9, signed a new recital.

He nailed Agustin Marchesin on the spot and left the public speechless with his swaying drive which ended in the back of the net, and offered a perfect ball to "Vini" for the 3-1.

The Brazilian, the only scorer in the Champions League final in May (1-0 against Liverpool), even bowed down to the 2018 Ballon d'Or after his goal.

The audience at the Balaidos stadium even got up when the player left in the 77th minute, replaced by Dani Ceballos.

Tchouaméni, post-Casemiro

And before Modric's masterpiece, it was Karim Benzema who opened his La Liga goal tally this season, converting a penalty caused by an involuntary hand from the Peruvian Renato Tapia in the box.

The new black and fluorescent yellow third jersey that Real released dressed the French goleador and the Croatian genius in light, and seems to fit Aurélien Tchouaméni like a glove.

Launched by Carlo Ancelotti, the young midfielder is led to take over from Casemiro, who left for Manchester for 70 million euros and 11 million in bonuses, more quickly than expected.

And he fully assumed his responsibilities on Saturday.

The ex-Monegasque Tchouaméni, recruited this summer for 80 million euros, was for example at the origin of the fourth Merengue goal, on a ball that Benzema let slip to Valverde.

Also note the penalty missed by Eden Hazard: Benzema let the Belgian take the penalty he caused at the end of the match (86th), but Hazard, who is still trying to get back to Real, came up against the opposing goalkeeper.

Crazy Penalties

Earlier in the day, Osasuna continued their perfect start to the season by winning 2-0 at home against Cadiz, thanks to two penalties from Chimy Avila (37th) and Kike Garcia (79th).

The Navarrese thus temporarily share the lead in the standings with Real Madrid and Betis Sevilla, who snatched a 2-1 success in Mallorca at the end of an electric match thanks, again, to two penalties from Borja Iglesias (9th, 73rd ).

We will have to wait for the other matches to find out which team will join them in first place.

Atlético Madrid receives Villarreal on Sunday (7:30 p.m.) with this ambition, but FC Barcelona, ​​hooked by Rayo Vallecano on the first day and who face Real Sociedad on Sunday evening (10:00 p.m.), cannot hope to catch up with them.

© 2022 AFP