Aurélien Tchouaméni experienced a night of redemption with Real Madrid, silencing his critics following his performance in the Supercopa de España Final against Barcelona. The 5-2 loss left several players under scrutiny, with Tchouaméni among those heavily criticized. However, the midfielder showcased resilience and transformed the initial boos into applause during the Copa del Rey clash against Celta de Vigo, proving his worth on the pitch.

From Questioned Center-Back to Reliable Midfielder

Tchouaméni's stint as a makeshift center-back, a role he has played in 10 games this season due to injuries in the defensive line, drew significant backlash. His struggles in the Clásico—including poor marking, lack of decisiveness, and only three ball recoveries compared to his season average of 7.63—made him a target for criticism.

In the match against Celta, Tchouaméni returned to his natural midfield role and regained his form. Although the game started with boos from the stands, his early long-range effort in the 14th minute, forcing a brilliant save from Iván Villar, began to shift the crowd's reaction. From that point on, the boos subsided, replaced by applause.

Stats That Highlight His Redemption

Tchouaméni's performance was reflected in impressive stats:

• 18 ball recoveries, more than double his season average (7.9).
• 9 duels won, nearly double his total from the Clásico (5).
• 85 passes attempted, setting a season-high and far surpassing his average of 58.43 per 90 minutes.

Additionally, his calmness in possession and defensive coverage were pivotal. A crucial intervention early in the second half to cut off a dangerous cross epitomized his resurgence.

Support from the Bench and Social Media

After the match, Tchouaméni took to social media with a pointed message:

"What doesn’t kill you…," underscoring his determination to rise above the criticism.

Carlo Ancelotti also came to his defense in the post-match press conference, praising the Frenchman’s mental toughness and ability to thrive under pressure.

Fellow Frenchman Kylian Mbappé showed solidarity during the game, celebrating his goal by grabbing the Real Madrid badge and making a defiant gesture, reinforcing the team’s unity in challenging times.