Sarmiento de La Banda Overview

Substitutes under the media's microscope

Jose Mourinho has laughed off suggestions that he is under pressure to start Yan Diomande following Real Madrid's latest La Liga outing. The Portuguese tactician handed the highly-rated starlet his first start at the Santiago Bernabeu, yet he insists that his selection policy remains strictly based on his own tactical evaluations and the long-term development of the squad.

Real Madrid delivered an emphatic response to their recent domestic slip-up by comfortably brushing aside city rivals Rayo Vallecano at the Santiago Bernabeu. Led by a clinical brace from Kylian Mbappe, the hosts moved level on points with leaders Barcelona to maintain strong early momentum at the top of the Liga table after five games.

The Merengue went through a spell of decline in the second half