A surprise in the alignment of the final. Or several. Break the eleven type; separate the 4 Fantastic. There are still no firm decisions, but the coaching staff meditates alternatives. And it does very, very seriously. Because eight months and 20 days later (the time elapsed since the first friendly pre -season, against Milan in Chicago), the team remains without being “compact.” That simple. And everything summarizes that, to that word: This Real Madrid is not compact. Which translates into weakness. In cracks. And in defeats … mainly against the greats. So Ancelotti, in the middle of the Cup final, probably split the shirt: surprise with alignment.
As a poker player, he chose not to give clues. “It has not been an essay, simply an alignment to have more control”he replied at a press conference. Brief. Generic. But reality is very different: The eleven against Athletic did hide several essays for the classic. Many, in fact. Test Ceballoswho had been starting 53 days. The results left many doubts: His 91% success in passes was hand in hand with the created occasion. Much efficacy, but also a lot of horizontality. He also lived his exam Modricwho wanted to be seen at the beginning: second that I believe (5), leader in passes (77), centers (8), recoveries (3) and even total interventions (102). He did not leave confirmed, much less; But reinforced.
Rodrygo no
Although this was the least: The main essay was in the system. In the way of playing as a whole. Up to those levels, the debate of the coaching staff on how to leave in the Cartuja is arriving. And is that 4 Fantastic They run serious danger or, in other words, Rodrygo's ownership is very questioned. It is not right. In fact, it is unrecognizable. Probably in one of his most bland moments as a Madridista: He has only scored one goal in the last 20 games (22, if those of Brazil are counted). But the analysis goes beyond the tangible. Because if it were a aim problem, it could be interpreted as a mere scoring bump. The alarming thing is the little that appears in the rival area. The little danger that transmits, in general. Rodrygo is not.
And in these circumstances, a plan B takes strength: Return to 4-4-2, with vinicius-mbappé in tip. A system that would return to Bellingham To the left wing – although they already know that this is something very flexible to practice – and would reinforce the machine room. It is one of the essays that were performed before Athletic, only that he was part of the exam that can cause his departure from the starting team. We repeat: there is still no firm decision, they are only evidence. But it is something that is on the table. Before this, multiple options arise: that Modric is the owner, that Valverde occupies the hypothetical right wing or that Ceballos does, with the French in the middle. But Rodrygo, danger.
Praying for Mendy
All this would condition the second test: there are many doubts with the left side. More than ever. Mendy is doing everything possible to arrive, but it is not safe. Just today they meet 40 days of your injury: Break in the femoral biceps of the left leg, on March 12. It happened in the last minutes of Euroderbi in the Metropolitan. But it was a very, very considerable breakage. The plan is that this week reappears in training with the group; But from there, to be in a position to start in a Cup final, there is a stretch. And a lawful debate.
Solution?
Camavinga O Alaba. That is the issue. Everything is reduced to two names. Because the coaching staff does not trust Fran García for the big nights: It is something that exceeds information, directly is obvious. And the performance of Alaba before rapid extremes leaves doubts. It should be remembered that in this matter the name of those who must stop to Lamine Yamal. Neither, no less. And in a final. So Ancelotti has decided to get on Delorean de Doc and prove what he once worked: Camavinga as lateral. “He doesn't like it, but it's very good,” he repeats himself in Valdebebas. This season is suffering more than usual. And from there, give continuity.
Eight fixed
In this sea of doubts there are eight certainties: Courtois (For more than Carletto Play ambiguity, he is the goalkeeper of great appointments), Asencio, Rüdiger, Tchouameni, Valverde, Bellingham, Vinicius y Mbappé. Those will be holders with total and absolute security. And from there, the name dance arises. Valverde's position opens a vacancy in one line or another; that of Camavinga, therefore. And the decision around the system also marks what may happen with Modric or Ceballos. The conclusion is very simple: Do not take so for granted the eleven of the Cartuja. Not much less. The coaching staff probes possibilities. Alternatives. There may be an ace under the sleeve. One … or several novelties.
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