Real Madrid performance: extremely busy midfield, attack still waiting for big reinforcements

Real Madrid enters the new season with a great hunger for trophies. In the last one, it won the Copa del Rey, the Club World Cup and the UEFA Super Cup, but the major trophies from La Liga and the Champions League eluded it. And that’s why he’ll be looking to make a run in the new season.

Goalkeeper

When it comes to the goalkeeper position, Real Madrid fans can rest easy. The number one is currently the best goalkeeper in the world and a key player in recent seasons, Thibaut Courtois. The role of the number two will continue to be filled by young Andriy Lunin, with a couple of youngsters from the academy also available.

Defence

The right-back position would probably need strengthening. Dani Carvajal continues to be a quality full-back, but he can’t maintain his form throughout the season, plus frequent injuries. His replacement is Lucas Vázquez, who is a solid rotation player, but he’s not a right back. Very soon Real will have to address a replacement at right-back.

The stopper position, on the other hand, is solid. Ancelotti’s first choice is the pair of David Alaba – Eder Militao, with Antonio Rüdiger on their heels. There is also a reliable all-rounder and, from the new season, captain, Nacho.

The left-back position is open. Summer signing and returnee Fran García came to fight for a place in the starting lineup with Ferland Mendy, eventually falling into his lap almost for free as the Frenchman picked up a muscle injury on the pre-season tour that will rule him out for at least a month. He may also fill in for Nacho or Eduardo Camavinga here.

Backup

The busiest part of the team and the absolute pride of Real Madrid. It is no exaggeration to say that this midfield is the best in the world. In fact, 6 top players who would be key players in any other team will be fighting for a few spots.

Long-time stalwarts and mainstays are Toni Kroos and Luka Modric, who continue to show no loss of quality. However, they will be challenged for game time by hungry youngsters – Federico Valverde, Eduardco Camavinga, Aurelién Tchouaméni and Jude Bellingham.

In addition, young Arda Güler will be waiting for his chance, as will Dani Ceballos. It was because of so much pressure that Ancelotti transformed the team to a 4-4-2 formation on the diamond in the summer.

This allows the Italian strategist to send in four central midfielders. Most likely, he will bet on the opening four of Kroos – Camavinga – Valverde and Bellingham at the back. That would leave Tchouameni and Modric on the bench and, once healed, Güler and Ceballos. A luxurious bench, no?

Attack

Of course, it’s hard to write that the attack, which features young superstars like Vinícius and Rodrygo, is Real’s weakest line. It’s just that the problem is that there’s virtually no one else in it anymore.

Joselu originally came in as a replacement for Benzema, a reliable two in attack who gets space against weaker opponents. But the Frenchman has left and Real have not brought in a replacement for the current Ballon d’Or winner.

Apart from this trio, Brahim Díaz, Fede Valverde and Arda Güler can be included in the attacking carriage, all of them can play on the right wing. However, the star spike striker is missing.

In the summer, Ancelotti relied on a 4-4-2 formation with four midfielders and Rodrigue with Vinícius at the tip. But even this system has its flies, it virtually eliminates the possibility of centreballs, and it makes little sense on the unfit Brazilian.

So Real are waiting for one more big reinforcement in attack. And that is none other than Kylian Mbappé. The French striker is on his way out of PSG, but there is a lot of tension between the two clubs and a deal will not be easy.

Source: Real Madrid, La Liga