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UP NEXT.. REAL OVIEDO
Real Madrid are 4 absentees short of a full squad. Xabi has called up Thiago Pitarch from Castilla to bolster the midfield numbers. Camavinga and Bellingham are the most notable absentees given how much empahsis Xabi’s football places on midfielders. Real have a full complement of defenders with 2 players for every position in the backline.
Real Madrid have a lot of room for improvement but make no mistake we have to win every single game during this cake-walk run. We will need these points when we face the mattress-makers. While there will be much to talk about during the period in terms of what works and what does not, results still carry a lot of weight.
The Boss Speaks
The formation questions will continue throughout Xabi’s tenure at the club. It seems there’s anxiety over what the fixed, unchanging formation will be. It should be clear by now that not only will different formations be used at the start of matches but multiple formations will be used in the same game on multiple occasions. Xabi used a 4-2-3-1 against Osasuna. I would expect the same formation for the game against Oviedo but with Rodrygo or Franco starting in place of Brahim Diaz.
Thoughts on Vini and Rodrygo
The boss seems unbothered by the noises coming from outside regarding the Brazilian forwards. He is focused on the bigger picture. Not a few matches or a few months but a longer-term future with a strong foundation of his principles. He understands that it will take time and that players will have to curb their natural instincts and adapt.
Rodrygo’s story seemed to take a strange turn at the end of last season and his agents have not helped matters by fuelling rumours of a departure. Rodrygo will now in all likelihood stay and be part of one of the strongest squads we’ve seen in quite some time. His desire to fight for the LW spot may well be a blessing in disguise. It might limit his potential minutes but it might also bring out his most consistent season yet.
Rodrygo looks to be getting on with it like the rest of his teammates. It will hurt him to miss out on minutes in the first game as he’s not given a chance to win over the manager. But it’s a big squad and there will be rotations and opportunities for players. The locker room environment seems to be holding steady despite all the egos and uncertainty. For all that can be said about Rodrygo, one cannot deny his mentality and quality over the years. I only wish I could understand what unravelled at the end of last season. The team had a bad season and he seemed to take it the hardest. Great to see him smiling and hopefully back on the pitch doing what he does best for the Merengues.
Franco’s Start
Xabi Alonso appears to be totally enamoured with Franco Mastantuono’s game. The youngster has been thrown in almost immediately and we should not be surprised to see him start. Whatever his profile is, seems to be exactly what Xabi Alonso wants in a player. He needs time to develop physically and mentally and learn the game from a European perspective but he’s clearly talented enough to learn on the job. Xabi has a lot of confidence in Franco but that will also bring untold pressure to the youngster.
Nico Paz to Spurs?
Real Madrid could pick up a pretty penny if Nico leaves Como for Spurs. The youngster’s performances under the tutelage of Cesc Fabregas have thrust him into the spotlight even linking him with a potential return to Madrid. However, it seems Xabi and Co preferred to go with Franco Mastantuono instead. The Premier League could be yet another step for a player who seems destined for greatness.