Madrid’s training ground had carried the memory of a late-season dispute, but Real Madrid’s trip to Elche offered a markedly different picture. After a dramatic 3-2 win sealed by Espí in the closing moments, Aurélien Tchouaméni and Federico Valverde celebrated together, exchanging a high-five before sharing an embrace.
Real Madrid unity on display before the derby
The gesture came into focus because of the tension that had surrounded the two midfielders at the end of the previous campaign. In front of supporters and cameras after the Elche victory, there appeared to be no sign of lingering ill feeling between the Frenchman and the Uruguayan.
Valverde, one of the side’s senior figures, and Tchouaméni have both remained part of a Real Madrid squad reshaped under José Mourinho. The early weeks of the season have brought encouraging results in both LaLiga and the Champions League, while the public reunion of the pair suggested a settled dressing room ahead of a significant Madrid weekend.
From Valdebebas tension to an Elche embrace
- Late last season, an incident between Tchouaméni and Valverde emerged after a Real Madrid training session at Valdebebas.
- The confrontation involved pushing and resulted in Valverde suffering a head injury that required a hospital visit.
- Real Madrid acknowledged that a training-ground altercation had taken place, imposed financial penalties on both players and opened disciplinary proceedings.
- The midfielders later clarified the matter, describing it as a team misunderstanding.
- Following the late win at Elche, their joint celebration gave visible evidence that the episode has been left behind.
The club’s new phase has involved changes from the training complex through to the transfer market, with Mourinho’s arrival presented as part of a wider reset. Tchouaméni and Valverde’s reaction in Elche added a small but conspicuous sign of cohesion to that rebuilding process.
Derby next at the Metropolitano
Real Madrid have completed six LaLiga rounds with five victories and one defeat, leaving them second in the table. Barcelona are above them after remaining unbeaten.
The Champions League campaign has also begun, with one match played, but attention now turns across the capital. Mourinho’s team will visit Atlético Madrid at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano in the first derby of the season, a Matchday 7 fixture that will test both their early momentum and the harmony on show in Elche.
SEO Title: Tchouaméni and Valverde embrace after Real Madrid win at Elche
Meta Description: Tchouaméni and Federico Valverde celebrated together after Real Madrid’s 3-2 victory over Elche, ahead of the Madrid derby against Atlético.
