Ends 120-Game Drought! Guler's Direct Free Kick Strikes Decisively, But Mourinho Says: No One Is Indispensable

The 21-year-old Turkish international Guler scored from a direct free kick in the 25th minute, with the ball hitting the post and bouncing into the net, ending Real Madrid's 120-game La Liga direct free kick goal drought. Over the past four seasons, Real Madrid has scored just four direct free kick goals, with Guler contributing two, making him tied with Alexander-Arnold as the club's most trusted set-piece taker. Mourinho stated after the match that Guler is not indispensable, adding that the substitution came because the team lost control and the No. 10 position is physically taxing. In Sunday's Atletico derby, Bellingham is set to return from injury, and Guler may move to the right wing, a position he is more familiar with. Real Madrid's poor showing in last season's derbies contributed to Alonso's managerial crisis.