Real Madrid endured a catastrophic defeat away at the Wanda Metropolitano in LaLiga over the weekend. Right from the start, Los Blancos found themselves outclassed by their bitter city rivals, Atlético Madrid....CONTINUE READING THE FULL ARTICLE>>>
While a brilliant solo effort by Toni Kroos offered a glimmer of hope, a second blow from former Madridista Álvaro Morata sealed their fate in a humbling 3-1 loss.
In the aftermath of this setback, there are valuable lessons to be learned, particularly three critical mistakes that must not be repeated in future fixtures.
1. Defensive Disarray
Real Madrid’s primary issues against Atlético stemmed from defensive frailty. Rather than assigning blame for the goals conceded, the entire match showcased a collective defensive breakdown. Blaming individual players is counterproductive, as defending is a team effort.
Both Carlo Ancelotti and the players share responsibility, and the worrisome aspect is that this defensive vulnerability has persisted under the experienced manager without signs of substantial improvement.
2. Misuse of Luka Modrić
With utmost respect for Luka Modrić and his illustrious career, it’s apparent that his role in pivotal matches for Real Madrid needs reconsideration. His form dipped significantly during the 2022/23 season, and while he remains valuable as a squad player, starting him against a top LaLiga team seems unrealistic.
Modrić’s deployment as an attacking midfielder is ill-advised, given his lack of explosive pace and agility required in today’s game. His inability to navigate tight defenses and contribute meaningfully in the first half of the recent defeat raises concerns about his suitability in this role.
3. Omission of Tchouaméni
The decision to exclude Aurélien Tchouaméni from the starting lineup in favor of both Toni Kroos and Luka Modrić left Real Madrid supporters disheartened. Tchouaméni represents the team’s primary defensive anchor, excelling in both defensive coverage and precise passing.
His unique ability to block passing lanes while progressing play makes him tactically indispensable, especially against teams that capitalize on quick transitions and stretch defenses. Real Madrid appeared stretched and sluggish without Tchouaméni, and leaving out this exceptional defensive midfielder in a crucial match like this is perplexing.
These three glaring errors must serve as lessons for Real Madrid, as they seek to rebound from this painful defeat and avoid similar pitfalls in their upcoming fixtures…CONTINUE READING
