The battle for the center of the field and other keys of Real Madrid for the classic

Nothing less than three classics in a few weeks.

Thomas Osborne
Thomas Osborne
02 March 2023 Thursday 12:29
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The battle for the center of the field and other keys of Real Madrid for the classic

Nothing less than three classics in a few weeks. Three confrontations that will decide titles and that, as always, will influence the dynamics. The first, in the Cup and at the Bernabeu. These are the main tactical keys for this great game from the Real Madrid perspective:

The loss of Barça means that Madrid has a great opportunity to dominate both in possession and in position in many sections of the game. With a Barça with, a priori, four footballers inside and with a Madrid also foreseeably in this format, the first of the keys to the game will fall on whoever wins the four against four in the engine room. And in that sense, it will be decisive to see who Ancelotti chooses. If we take the last three games, only Valverde has been a fixture. In the others, Modric, Kroos, Camavinga and Ceballos have been rotating. The first three are those who start with an advantage to accompany the Uruguayan.

Right now, Vinícius is the team's main offensive argument. Especially when he can get out fast with room to gallop. There the Brazilian is very difficult to stop. One of the best in Europe without a doubt. The game is going to provide ideal contexts for him to run but, of course, it will depend on the Real Madrid team providing him advantageous balls. Therefore, from the Whites' point of view, the two passes after each recovery of the ball in their own half will be vital. Because for a transition to be good, the launch of the play has to be as fast as possible.

It is so obvious that Benzema is not as good as last season, as he is such a differential footballer that he has the ability to influence any game. Against a team that comes out with the will to dominate like Barça, he will have spaces between the lines and chances to receive in different areas if he moves well. His participation may once again be decisive. Even more so at a time when he seems to have recovered better feelings in recent weeks. All in all, and with an average of 2.4 per game, he is still the player who gives the most key passes. In addition, in the last three games, the French striker has accumulated four goals and one assist. Also relevant is the role of Valverde. He has great skills for breaking lines in driving and is used to making excellent performances in the classics.

The casualties of Mendy and Alaba, added to the great game he played at Anfield defending Salah, ensure Nacho's place. And for Madrid interests it is vital that he can close the band well. Not only because this would blow up Barça's only wide band, but because that would allow Vinícius to play more comfortably. From the outset he is going to face off with Raphinha but it may be that in the second half he will have Ferran or even Ansu in front of him.