Mourinho Praises Record Signing Yan Diomande After First Real Madrid Start in 4-1 Win

Real Madrid secured a 4-1 victory over Rayo Vallecano as record signing Yan Diomande played 72 minutes in his first start for the club.

Real Madrid defeated Rayo Vallecano 4-1 at the Bernabéu on Saturday behind a brace from Kylian Mbappé. The French forward opened the scoring as Madrid built a 3-0 halftime lead, supported by goals from Álvaro Carreras and Jude Bellingham. Rayo Vallecano’s Sergio Camello pulled one back in the second half before Mbappé added his second goal in stoppage time.

Record signing Yan Diomande earned his first start for the club, featuring for 72 minutes on the wing. The former RB Leipzig player, who arrived in Madrid last month, contributed to a performance that head coach José Mourinho described as a "45-minute game." Mourinho noted that the squad lacked physical and mental energy in the second half following a midweek Champions League victory against Inter Milan.

Vinícius Júnior provided the assist for Bellingham’s goal and received praise from Mourinho for his defensive work and physical condition. While the coach highlighted Diomande's "incredible potential" in one-on-one situations, crossing, and shooting, he emphasized that the winger still has tactical elements to learn due to his limited experience in top-level European football.