3 Things Julen Lopetegui could do to turn the tide at Real Madrid

#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.

About the author

Subhadeep, an adept tennis journalist at Sportskeeda, has been writing about the sport for seven years. He is known for his exclusive match reviews and opinion pieces, utilizing his MBA degree to tackle them effectively with his problem-solving abilities.

Subhadeep lives and breathes tennis. He watches matches regularly and engages in social media platforms to stay on top of the latest happenings. As a writer, he brings the fan's perspective to his pieces, ensuring his readers enjoy an exceptional experience every time.

Growing up, he idolized Boris Becker, but he now firmly believes Novak Djokovic stands alone as the 'Greatest of all Time', especially considering the 24-time Grand Slam champion's incredible stats. One thing that still puzzles Subhadeep, however, is how Becker's Wimbledon tally might have reached five if not for Pete Sampras.

Speaking of the All England Club, the British Major holds a special place in his heart as he admires its blend of tradition and grass-court excellence. When not working for Sportskeeda, Subhadeep delves into the other "love of his life": football, and enjoys contributing his insights to different websites dedicated to the sport.

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Edited by Sundaresh Kumar