Yangel Herrera’s Return and Wesley’s Debut: A Tale of Two Performances

omidbasir- Yangel Herrera’s return to the starting lineup after a four-month absence, alongside Wesley’s debut, were the significant highlights for Real Sociedad during their visit to Santiago Bernabéu. The outcomes, however, differed markedly in terms of individual performance. The Venezuelan midfielder was active on the field, notably causing the penalty that was converted by Mikel Oyarzabal, while the Brazilian forward struggled to make an impact, rarely touching the ball.

Historically recognized more for his defensive skills, Yangel quickly made his presence felt in the Real Madrid penalty area. He narrowly missed a header early on, and shortly afterward, he earned a penalty after being fouled by Huijsen, which Oyarzabal converted to level the match at that moment.

Yangel later appealed for a foul against Tchouaméni, but referee Hernández Maeso dismissed the claim. Minutes later, he did earn a foul from Rudiger, leading to a brief confrontation. As is customary for players returning from extended injuries, Matarazzo substituted him for Turrientes after an hour of play.

Wesley’s inclusion in the starting eleven was somewhat unexpected, given his lack of playing time in the last three matches and the coach’s previous statements emphasizing the need for more competitive minutes before becoming a starter. Unfortunately, the São Paulo native faded into the background, making little impact on attacking plays, while Trent Arnold posed a significant threat down the flank he shared with Aihen. Matarazzo replaced him at halftime with Guedes, raising questions about Wesley’s future involvement in upcoming matches after a disappointing debut.