For the last three years on the trot, Real Madrid have won the Champions League trophy.
This was the first such achievement since Ajax and Bayern Munich celebrated three consecutive
European Cups in the 1070s. And the only record to better this was set by Madrid themselves,
winning the first five incarnations of the European Cup between 1956-1960.
With Zinedine Zidane and Cristiano Ronaldo since departed, a situation then exacerbated
by the short-lived stint of Julen Lopetegui, a repeat of last year’s successes isn’t
overly expected. However, Madrid are expected to surpass Ajax in the round of 16, with an
advantage on aggregate and two away goals after the first tie. So, is it possible, that
under new boss Santiago Solari, Real could make it four?
Switching from Zidane to Lopetegui was a question of searching for a new style to match Florentino
Perez’s young Spanish purchases, with the decision to promote Solari from within mirroring
Zidane’s appointment not only in terms of the organic recruitment process, but also
trusting in man management ahead of tactical acumen.
As these stats from OneFootball show, Solari’s appointment has been a qualified success,
with impressive performances in the Champions League, but league form that has left them
third behind Barcelona and Athletico Madrid.
The problem of Marcelo is not a new one. A technically gifted full back with a highlight
reel that includes a speedy breakaway and finish against Bayern Munich in the semi-finals
of the Champions League back in 2018, there are few better left backs in world football
when entering the final third. Under Zidane, this was the area of the field that the Brazilian
was asked to affect most regularly, as both he and Dani Carvajal offered width to allow
Ronaldo and Bale to drift infield and take up more central areas to be a direct goal
threat. Under Solari, Real Madrid haven’t necessarily
been as solid nor as confident, marking Marcelo out as a luxury player. 22-year-old academy
graduate Sergio Reguilon has grabbed his opportunity with both hands as a result, as Marcelo started
out the campaign with a disastrous performance in the UEFA Super Cup defeat against Atletico
Madrid and is yet to recapture his form. Instead of having a creative influence in
defence, in Reguilon Real Madrid instead have a reliable, solid option that provides a platform
for Vinicius Jr to attack from without any big defensive worries on the left wing. When
Marcelo and his young compatriot have played in tandem, it lacks balance, but Reguilon-Vinicius
offers athleticism and hunger in abundance. When Vinicius made his long-announced move
to Real Madrid in the summer, his impact was not intended to be short term. Though the
then-17-year-old was training with the first team and travelled for their pre-season tour,
the Brazilian instead played his football with the B team.
Confident and capable of unbalancing an opposition defence, Vinicius has slotted into the wide
role on the left that Ronaldo left vacant since Solari’s appointment. Although he
obviously doesn’t offer the same ruthless edge in front of goal as the Portuguese, he
has become increasingly important as the most direct threat in Solari’s front three.
Armed with incredible acceleration and skill, Vinicius can beat isolated players in 1v1
situations, as well as showing a desire to come infield to let off shots (see shot map
from Understat). Rather than allowing Ronaldo freedom to drift in as a second striker last
season due to Marcelo galloping up in support, Vinicius now provides all of the craft and
flair, with the reliable Reguilon ensuring that Real Madrid won’t be left badly exposed
should their creative risk-taker lose possession and get caught the wrong side of the ball.
In a recent interview with France Football, Karim Benzema laid bare how his role in the
attack has changed since Ronaldo’s exit. Rather than looking to create in anticipation
of the Portuguese’s inevitable arrival in the penalty area, now the goalscoring responsibility
lies at his feet. That being said, there are no huge differences
to Real Madrid’s style of play. Just as they were under Zidane, their squad rely on
certain individuals to sprinkle some magic on a game, as opposed to being able to systematically
target opponent’s weaknesses and tear them apart on a regular basis. There is no tactical
fingerprint on his teams, just preferences for certain players in certain situations.
Having reigned things in at left back by being selective with his usage of Marcelo, Solari
is left with an inexperienced Vinicius, a frustrated Gareth Bale and a regularly injured
Marco Asensio to provide firepower either side of Benzema.
Isco has barely featured under Solari, as Real Madrid continue to lack a presence in
between the lines, asking Benzema to come deep or Vinicius to shoulder a considerable
creative burden at the age of just 18. Even without Ronaldo, Real Madrid do still have
the quality to turn a tight game, but across two legs it might prove too tough against
a strong, well-organised opponent in Europe.