A new era for Real without Benzema. Ancelotti prepares diamond formation due to midfield congestion

Real Madrid is entering a new era. For the first time since 2009, Karim Benzema, to whom teammates, coaches and fans have become accustomed, will not be on the pitch. Carlo Ancelotti must therefore devise a new style of play for Los Blancos.

Real Madrid are facing a huge change. After 14 years, they won’t be able to lean on Karim Benzema at the tip of the attack and rely on his goals. And with no star striker to replace him having arrived yet, Real must resort to a change in playing style.

And that is what is on offer, with the centre of midfield bursting at the seams. Ancelotti has club legends Toni Kroos and Luka Modric at his disposal, plus already proven young blood Federico Valverde, Eduardo Camavinga and also Aurélien Tchouaméni.

On top of that, the world’s most wanted youngster Jude Bellingham has arrived, as well as Turkish super-talent Arda Güler. Dani Ceballos should not be forgotten either, as he usually doesn’t disappoint when he plays.

It is clear that the team’s greatest strength lies in the middle of the midfield. It is these positions that the Italian strategist will try to put the most pressure on.

Especially with the lack of strikers in the squad. There are the fast wingers Vinícius and Rodrygo, but that’s almost it for the base. Joselu will play more of a substitute role, with Brahim Díaz also being counted on as more of a journeyman. That’s it, Real don’t have more strikers at the moment.

The question mark still hangs around the arrival of Kylian Mbappé. Even if he does eventually come to the Valdebebas training centre, it will still take some time. So, according to MARCA newspaper, Real are preparing a new formation with four central midfielders.

More precisely, a 4-1-2-1-2 formation, known as the diamond. Jude Bellingham is expected to play a key role at the back, linking the attack with the midfield and ensuring that Vinicius and Rodryg are not left alone.

Eduardo Camavinga, who showed a meteoric rise last season and is the future of the club, should have a secure place. It can be expected that Kroos and Modric will no longer play all the games and will slowly move into a mentor role. Tchouaméni, who has stagnated a bit after a great autumn and World Cup, has to earn his place. Valverde’s place in the lineup is also solid.

For Real Madrid, however, a diamond formation would not be such a novelty. Under Zinedine Zidane, this is how Los Blancos reached the Champions League in 2017 and 2018.

Kroos and Modric operated in front of defensive shield Casemiro, with Isco moving around the pitch as a free ten. Ronaldo and Benzema operated on the spine.

Source: MARCA