What did Real Madrid’s match with Stuttgart show? Kroos missing and inconsistency in the attacking line

Real Madrid did manage to play the opening round of the Champions League against Stuttgart, but their performance was not ideal again. German stopper Antonio Rüdiger scored the winner with less than 10 minutes left in regulation time. Carlo Ancelotti, however, remained calm at the press conference and told reporters that it is only the beginning of the season and the team is looking for its face.

Most of all, the team is missing Kroos

Not only the game against Stuttgart, but also the rest of the duels this season show Real Madrid how much they miss Toni Kroos. The German midfielder is already enjoying his footballing retirement and must be asking himself how it is possible that the midfield line has no order.

The only one who sets the pace of the game is Luka Modric, but at 38 years of age, he mostly starts games on the bench. Neither Aurelien Tchouameni, Federico Valverde nor Jude Bellingham can set the pace the team needs.

The German knew very well when to speed up the game and when to slow down. Eduardo Camavinga is the closest Kroos could come to at least partially matching him, understandably from the ranks of the young players. Thus, unless Madrid find a leader in the midfield, the team will continue to suffer.

No backup at stopper

Along with Rüdiger, Dani Carvajal started the match at stopper. It was clear from the opening minute that the Spaniard was not comfortable in his unusual position. Positionally, the Spanish defender was languishing, which caused several chances for the opponents and it was only thanks to Courtois that the visitors did not go ahead.

Ancelotti sent on Eder Militao for Lucas Vázquez in the second half and the Brazilian stopper added some confidence to the defence. After all, the White Ballet have no other alternative for the central defender position.

David Alaba is injured for a long time and his return is probably not going to happen until after the new year, the only other option is already Jesús Vallejo. Real didn’t even look for other options at stopper during the transfer window, and that could be a shame in the future.

Vinícius is looking in vain with Mbappé

Although the players themselves have shown the world several times that they have a good relationship, they are apparently still looking for each other on the pitch. Vinícius does concede a penalty to Mbappé now and then, but that is the end of their harmony. The transition into the Royal Grand Club’s attack suffers as a result.

The Brazilian often looks for the Frenchman too clearly, which the opponent reads. Otherwise, however, it is similar, Mbappé tries to look for Vinícius, but so far in vain. When the superstars align, opponents will have a much harder time.

Rodrygo is untouchable from the attacking trident

Coach Ancelotti has shown several times that Mbappé is untouchable for him with Vinícius. Rodrygo takes this fact away the most, as he is the one who is substituted far more often.

Against Stuttgart he played the best of the entire attack, and yet he was the first and only substituted. The substitution of Bellingham was also not quite ideal, as the Englishman played better than the star duo. It must be added, however, that one can understand here, since the aforementioned midfielder was injured.

Source: Champions League, Madrid Universal