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A quiet turnaround of sorts is happening at Real Madrid. After a less than impressive start to his stint as Los Merengues manager, Santiago Solari seems to have gotten the team back on track.
A run of 8 wins in 11 La Liga games has propelled the team back into the top three on the table. They have also qualified for the semi-final of the Copa Del Rey after dispatching Girona 6-2 over two legs. The team will renew the eternal rivalry that is El Clasico with FC Barcelona in the semi-finals.
This transformation has been carried out by a crop of players who had been absolutely unimpressive before then. So many of the players who have three-peated the UEFA Champions League had looked tired and out of ideas. This led to the dismissal of Julen Lopetegui as manager and the installation of the Argentine as manager.
Here is a look at 5 players that have been very impressive under Solari.
#5 Sergio Reguilón
At the beginning of the season, the La Fabrica product was not expected to play a prominent role for Real Madrid. Marcelo had been the undisputed starter for the team over the last decade and was expected to continue in the role.
Reguilón was drafted into the team by Lopetegui after substitute left-back; Theo Hernandez was sent on loan to Real Sociedad. Marcelo’s dramatic loss of form over the course of the season has meant that Solari had to take the difficult decision to drop the Brazilian.
His loss has been Reguilón’s gain. The Spaniard has visibly improved as the season has gone on, gaining confidence by the day. While not the paciest, he has been diligent in his defensive work while going forward on occasion to join the attack.
He has added solidity to the left side of Madrid’s defence and has for good measure provided two assists in the 8 La Liga games he has featured in.
#4 Carlos Casemiro
It was a measure of just how bad the Brazilian was during the Lopetegui era that there were no complaints when he was dropped for Marcos Llorente.
Following the World Cup, he came back tired and injured and took a while get back to form. Alongside Luka Modric and Toni Kroos, the UCL-winning midfield was badly out of form and led to a dramatic drop in quality and results.
His tenacity, bite and reliable nature was badly missed as Real Madrid stumbled from bad result to bad result with no end in sight. The elevation of the Cantera product had the desired effect as Casemiro has been like a new creature since he came back into the starting XI.
The 26-year-old has been back to something resembling his best in recent weeks. Playing alongside Modric, Kroos, Dani Ceballos amongst others, his defensive contributions have helped in the reduced number of goals conceded by the team.
#3 Vinicius Junior
The youngster was not supposed to play a leading role in the team this season. Officially becoming a Real Madrid player in August, the Brazilian was drafted to Real Madrid Castilla to ease him into the rigors of European football.
The departure of Cristiano Ronaldo to Juventus left a huge gap in the team’s attacking lineup. This was a gap that the likes of Karim Benzema, Gareth Bale, Marco, Asensio and others struggled to fill.
The lack of verve and dynamism from the frontline forced Lopetegui and Solari to get creative. Vinicius was drafted into the senior side and he has stayed there since.
Blessed with searing pace, brilliant dribbling and decision making that belittles his years, the 18-year-old has added unpredictability to the Madrid frontline. Patrolling down the left flank, his combination play with Benzema and other players has been a delight to watch.
In 11 La Liga games so far (5 of which have been as a starter), he has grabbed 2 goals. He looks set for an extended stay in the first XI.
#2 Sergio Ramos
El Capitano had until a few months into the Solari-era been having a stinker. The much-decorated leader had been woeful in the first few months of the season being at fault for some very sloppy goals.
Alongside partner, Raphael Varane, Ramos had looked worn out and expired as attacker after attacker found it very easy to go past him and score. The lack of cover from midfield and his tendency to drift into attacking areas further exacerbated the problem.
Following the departure of Lopetegui and the arrival of Solari, it didn’t bring about the desired change immediately. Ramos still continued to struggle in the harsh, unforgiving light of La Liga. This struggle extended to the national team as well.
However, there has been an upturn in his form and the team’s fortunes in recent weeks. With a more settled backline to coordinate and the return to form of Casemiro, Ramos has been back to something resembling his old form.
Back has come the immaculate tackling and aerial prowess he has been noted for. His contributions have been notable at both ends with 5 goals scored already this season.
#1 Karim Benzema
The biggest villain of Real’s early-season struggles, life seems to be good for the Frenchman at the moment. A lot was expected of him following Ronaldo’s departure to Juventus in the summer and the non-addition of another star attacker.
His flurry of goals in the early games suggested that he could deliver on the expectations. Unfortunately, as has become his style, he struggled with Madridistas’ expectations and endured a very long goal drought.
However, both Lopetegui and Solari persisted with him (partly out of necessity as he is the team’s most senior striker). It has taken a while but the former Lyon ace has begun to repay his coaches’ faith in him.
Like Ramos, he has been ever-present in the team and has featured in all 22 La Liga games played so far. His tally of 10 goals and counting in league football tells the story of a man full of confidence at the moment.
