Jeered off Franco Mastantuono, main target after Real Madrid’s draw | OneFootball

Real Madrid couldn't get past a 1-1 draw against Rayo Vallecano on matchday 22 of LaLiga. On a gloomy afternoon for the "merengue" team, the young Argentine Franco Mastantuono was the focus of criticism from a fanbase that is starting to grow impatient.

The Santiago Bernabéu Stadium was dressed up for an occasion that seemed favorable for closing the gap. With Barcelona maintaining an unyielding pace at the top of the standings, Real Madrid hosted Rayo Vallecano with the obligation to secure all three points to keep their title hopes alive in the 2025/26 season. However, the script did not go as Álvaro Arbeloa had planned.

For this match, the Spanish coach once again placed his trust in Franco Mastantuono. The Argentine, who has earned a spot in the main rotation by actively participating in both the domestic league and the Champions League, was seen as the key to breaking through Rayo's defense. However, from the initial whistle, the former River player appeared erratic, disconnected from the flow of the game, and struggled to impose his usual individual flair.

As the minutes passed and the score remained stuck at 1-1, punishing the home team's lack of ideas, murmurs in the stands began to grow. Madrid needed a spark that never came from the young player's feet. In the absence of answers, Arbeloa decided to make changes 15 minutes into the second half, bringing in fresh legs to seek victory.

The moment of substitution provided one of the most striking images of the season: as the fourth official raised the board with the Argentine's number, a widespread whistle echoed from all four corners of the Bernabéu. It was a loud and clear disapproval of Mastantuono's performance, who left for the locker room with a distraught expression, feeling for the first time the rigor of the demanding white fanbase.

With this result, Real Madrid lets two vital points slip away at home and gives Barcelona the chance to extend their lead. For Mastantuono, the challenge remains to process this tough emotional setback and prove that he has the character necessary to change the opinion of a crowd that, although it embraced him upon his arrival, now demands the excellence that the merengue jersey requires.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.