Real Madrid’s 4–1 win over Real Sociedad was much less comfortable than the final score suggests. Madrid were uneven and vulnerable in the first half, went into halftime at 1–1, then produced a dramatically better second-half performance built around pressing, quicker combinations and a devastating Kylian Mbappé hat-trick.The match in one sentenceFirst half: warning signs. Second half: frightening attacking potential.Madrid had roughly 51% possession but finished with 20 shots to Sociedad’s 10, 11 shots on target to 3, and 19 chances created to 8. The underlying numbers were similarly convincing: about 3.14 xG to 0.57.1. Sociedad exposed Madrid earlyThe opening 45 minutes were Mourinho’s biggest concern.Sociedad were willing to play through Madrid’s pressure and attack quickly once possession changed hands. Oyarzabal forced Courtois into an important early save, Sergio Gómez went close, and Madrid occasionally looked uncomfortable defending transitions. The Bernabéu crowd became frustrated enough to jeer the team before halftime.Mbappé temporarily changed the mood in the 40th minute. Valverde drove forward and released him, Mbappé shifted the ball onto his left and smashed Madrid ahead.But only four minutes later, Luka Sučić made it 1–1, punishing another messy defensive sequence.That equaliser highlighted something Mourinho still has to address: Madrid's rest defence and defensive organisation aren't yet as convincing as their attacking talent.2. Mourinho's halftime response changed the gameThe transformation after halftime was significant.Madrid became more aggressive without the ball and much more direct after recovering possession. Instead of circulating possession without penetration, they started finding Mbappé, Vinícius and Bellingham quickly between and behind Sociedad's lines.The breakthrough arrived on 60 minutes.Bellingham → Mbappé → Bellingham → Mbappé.A sharp one-two opened Sociedad's defence and Mbappé finished first time for 2–1. Eight minutes later Bellingham won possession high up the pitch and supplied #mbappe #realmadridvsrealsociedad
