It had been a while since I last had been to the Bernabéu. One final night of football before flying home for Christmas. On the way to the stadium, the streets felt unusually calm, but that illusion disappeared the moment I reached the press seats. The stadium was full and load, as if all of Madrid had decided to enjoy one last match before the holidays began.
Real Madrid came into the game just three points behind Barcelona, while Sevilla were still fighting to climb the table. It felt like more than just another La Liga fixture. The atmosphere reflected that. Focused, loud, and expectant from the first whistle.
During the Match
The first half was fairly balanced, with both teams creating moments without really dominating. The tension in the stadium grew as small fouls and arguments broke out. When Jude Bellingham finally broke the deadlock just before halftime, the noise inside the Bernabéu was instant and overwhelming. A collective sense of release.
The second half felt a bit different. Sevilla pushed higher, and the game became more physical. After a red card left Sevilla with ten men, the rhythm shifted again. Real Madrid stayed patient, and when Kylian Mbappé converted a late penalty to make it 2–0, it felt like the game finally settled. A calm ending after a night full of tension.
The view from the press zone.
Post Match: Mixed Zone
After the final whistle, I headed down to the mixed zone, one of those spaces you usually only see on television. Unfortunately, no Real Madrid players came through that night, but Sevilla forward Alexis Sánchez stopped to speak with the media. Standing there, listening, and watching how journalists work up close still feels slightly surreal.
Walking home afterwards, it felt like a fitting way to close the first trimester of my Master’s. One last night at the Bernabéu before heading home for Christmas.
In the Mixed Zone – Alexis Sánchez being interviewed.
