Madridistas, he’s done it again! Aurélien Tchouaméni was an absolute rock in the midfield last night, delivering a masterclass that earned him his second consecutive MVP award against Benfica.
After taking home the honors in the first leg, the French powerhouse proved exactly why he is so vital to Álvaro Arbeloa’s system, paving the way for our victory at the Bernabéu and smashing home the crucial first goal to settle the nerves.
Overcoming a Slow Start
It wasn’t the explosive opening we usually expect on a European night at home. Benfica came out swinging, but the mentality of this team is unmatched. Speaking after the match, Tchouaméni acknowledged the sluggish start but highlighted the squad’s unwavering belief.
“The truth is, we didn’t start the match very well, but we had the confidence that we would score goals. Then we did things a little better,” Tchouaméni explained.
He also made sure to give credit where it’s due, praising the impact of the substitutes and the academy players who stepped up on the big stage:
“Those who came on later and the young players from Castilla contributed very well to the match. Now we will keep moving forward. We need to adjust a bit how we defend and start matches better. In the end, we won, which is the most important thing.”
The Goal and Arbeloa’s Influence
Tchouaméni’s strike to open the scoring wasn’t just a stroke of luck—it was exactly what he had been manifesting before kickoff, directly encouraged by our manager.
“During the warm-up, I scored many goals, and we said today is my day. I am very happy to help the team,” he revealed with a smile. “The coach, Arbeloa, always tells me to push a little more to score goals. I have to keep it up.”
Eyes on the Round of 16
With our ticket to the Round of 16 officially punched, the inevitable questions about who we want to draw next are already rolling in. But in true Real Madrid fashion, our midfield general is keeping the focus entirely in-house.
When asked about his preferences for the next round, Tchouaméni kept it simple and professional:
“We have to focus on ourselves. Then we’ll see what happens in the future.”
Whatever happens, with Tchouaméni dominating the middle of the park and finding his shooting boots under Arbeloa, this squad is ready for anyone. ¡Hala Madrid!
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