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Real Madrid, the biggest club in the world, are in a crisis at the moment. They have experienced a 481-minute goal drought, which is the worst in their history, and are languishing at the 7th position in the league table. Their start to the Champions’ League campaign has not been very promising either as they have lost to CSKA Moscow in a group League match.
Saturday’s 1-2 loss against Levante has further jeopardised coach Julen Lopetegui’s position at the club, and he is at a risk of getting sacked within a few months of getting appointed by the Los Blancos. Real face Barca at the Camp Nou on 28th October and it could turn out to be the final chance of resurrection for Lopetegui.
Talismanic Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure is definitely one of the reasons behind Real’s attacking ineptness, but they would have to overcome it gradually. Real still have a lot of quality players in their squad, and there is no reason why Lopetegui and his team can not reverse the tide. We would like to have a look at 3 things which would help Real Madrid turn things around:
#1 Playing a slow and passing-oriented game in a 4-3-3 formation
For a better part of the last 10 years, Real Madrid have been known for their fast counter-attacking game. Fast players like Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale served their purpose by making those speedy runs into the opposition defence. Moreover, they had brilliant passers like Luka Modric and Toni Kroos, who could provide the forwards with those vital through balls. Therefore, they mostly played in a 4-4-2 formation with Ronaldo and Benzema up front, and Bale used to come in as a substitute often.
However, Ronaldo is no longer with Real and Bale has become slower with age. Therefore, it would make sense to switch to a flexible and slower 4-3-3 from a pacey 4-4-2 formation and give more emphasis on slower build-ups and passing football.
Real should play Casemiro, Modric and Kroos in the midfield and Isco, Benzema and Bale as the front 3. Players like Marco Asensio and Lucas Vazquez could be used as substitutes. It could become a 4-1-4-1 when Real have possession with Casemiro almost always staying in his own half.
However, when Real lose possession, Kroos should fall back immediately and make it a 4-2-3-1 to ensure defensive security. Formations like 4-1-4-1 and 4-2-3-1 are variations of the 4-3-3 only and therefore, a playing in a 4-3-3 would allow Real Madrid to be tactically flexible.
Benzema is an opportunistic striker and would like to pounce on a loose ball inside the opposition box. Isco could switch to the central areas from the left wing occasionally and create space with his dribbling and short-passing. Bale could provide the much-needed edge with his speed, strength and shooting prowess.
#2 Playing Luka Modric in a more advanced role
Modric has been one of the best central midfielders in the world for the last few years and has more than 250 matches under his belt with Real Madrid. However, he usually plays in a more advanced role for the Croatian national side than he does for his club and it is about time to change that.
If Real no longer rely on a fast counter-attacking game, they would need a creative influence in the middle third and there can be no better player than Modric for providing that. Modric should be able to control the tempo of the game with his intelligent touches and passing.
Moreover, he is capable of making runs into the opposition penalty box at times and take shots at goal from the edge of the box as well.
Kroos would have to play a more defensive role to help Modric play a more assertive role. As mentioned earlier, Kroos should fall back whenever Real lose possession and make the formation a 4-2-3-1. He could still continue to play his incisive through-passes to the forwards but can not afford to shun his defensive responsibilities.
#3 Improving shooting accuracy near the opposition goal
Real had 33 attempts against Levante but only 12 of them were on target. They would definitely have to improve their shooting accuracy in order to test their opponents more often. With the departure of Ronaldo, they no longer have their most lethal goal-scoring weapon and therefore, their other players would have to come forward in order to bridge the gap.
Isco is not a very direct players and can not be trusted to have too many shots at goals. Benzema, on the other hand, is a good poacher who thrives on loose balls inside the opposition box.
Therefore, players like Bale and Asensio would have to test the opposition goalkeepers with their shooting prowess. Bale has got a very powerful shot on him and has scored some devastating goals from the edge of the box.
Asensio prefers to cut inside from the wing and then take attempts at goal and should be encouraged to do it more often. He has scored 22 goals in 103 matches at the top level in club football and would definitely want to improve his goal-scoring record.
