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Finally, the long drawn out Carlo Ancelotti saga was brought to an end by Real Madrid and PSG. Real were waiting for PSG to announce Carlo’s replacement, so that they could remain true to their ethics. Today, both PSG and Real Madrid announced the signings of their new managers, Laurent Blanc and Carlo Ancelotti, respectively.
After Mourinho’s failure at Real Madrid, we were guaranteed to see some big changes this summer. Florentino Perez was re-elected as President of the club as none could challenge him for the post.
Perez v3 kicked off in style. Madrid announced the signing of Dani Carvajal from Bayer Leverkusen for €6.5m. This comes as a big boost for Madrid. Carvajal, a product of La Fabrica, was sold for €5m to Bayer last summer, but the buy back clause inserted in the contract ensured that he’d return and sure up the right back position which looked shaky throughout last season with Arbeloa and the on-loan Essien, playing there. Isco, is a done deal for €30m, athough it’s not official, Perez had said Isco and Ancelotti will be signed soon (Ancelotti is done already). The Malaga owner had tweeted that the #22 jersey which Isco wore, will be retired. One can be assured, this won’t be the end, more players will arrive and some leave.
Ancelotti has plenty of work to do. The most important thing will be to unite the dressing room which had been fractured under Mourinho. Then, he has to make sure the new signings settle down quickly, clear the deadwood and of course, win trophies!
So, what can Carlo bring to the Santiago Bernabeu?
Carlo is tactically, very flexible. He can adopt according to the team at his disposal. In his managerial career, he has used a number of formations; 4-2-3-1, 4-3-3, 4-3-1-2, 4-3-2-1 and 4-2-2-2. He has never been a fan of width, all his teams have been narrow, and whatever width they had, was provided by the full backs.
Below, is the analysis of how Ancelotti can use various formations with the squad at his disposal, and with a few transfers.
4-2-3-1
A narrow 4-2-3-1. Verratti (or Gundogan, depending on whom they buy) and Modric (or Khedira) to form the double pivot. Verratti is a combative regista. He has got that grit to play the role Alonso did in the previous seasons and Modric as the box to box midfielder. The front four of Özil, Isco, Ronaldo and Suarez interchanging positions and linking up amongst themselves. It could also be Cavani or they can even stick to Benzema.
Pros: The squad is familiar with this formation, they won’t need much time to adapt.
Cons: It is Carlo’s least favoured formation and Madrid won just a league and domestic cup in three seasons under Mourinho, who used this formation throughout his tenure.
4-2-2-2
A 4-2-2-2, the one Carlo used the most at PSG. Gundogan/Verratti and Modric/Khedira as the two central midfielders. Isco and Özil as wingers, or rather attacking midfielders. Ronaldo and Benzema/Cavani/Suarez as the two strikers.
Pros: Both Isco and Özil are modern day central wingers and this formation gets the best out of them.
Cons: Ronaldo hasn’t played as a second striker, he could find it difficult to adopt. If the pivotal player in the team has problems adjusting to a formation, then it’s unlikely for that formation to be used.
4-3-3
A flat 4-3-3. Verratti/Gundogan, Modric and Khedira to form to midfield trio. Özil/Isco, Ronaldo and Cavani/Suarez/Benzema as the front 3.
Pros: This will help the team to thoroughly dominate possession with an extra body in midfield, something which the Bernabeu hasn’t witnessed for years now. This ensures beautiful football.
Cons: Isco and Özil will have to share the playing time. This will negatively affect their progress.
4-3-2-1
The Christmas Tree formation. Well, a modified version in this case. Carlo has an obsession towards playmakers, and used this formation to fit them all at AC Milan. Carvajal and Coentrao will provide the width to the team. Verratti/Gundogan, Modric and Khedira to form to midfield trio. Isco/Özil will be the team’s trequartista, sitting behind the striker and Ronaldo, and providing delicious through balls for them. Ronaldo in a free role, drifting to either wing and also making clever runs into the box. Cavani/Suarez/Benzema as the striker.
Pros: It can get the best of out the 11 players on the pitch. And, in a free role, Ronaldo is at his devastating best!
Cons: Not enough cover for the midfield trio and again, Isco and Özil will have to share the playing time.
In all the above formations, I have used only those players who are most likely to make the first XI, on a regular basis. The most notable absentees are Alonso, Pepe, Marcelo, Arbeloa and Di Maria. Arbeloa is declining, so one should expect Carvajal to start at RB regularly. Pepe is still very good, and will get plenty of chances, but for most big games it’ll be Varane. Coentrao proved it last season that he’s our first choice LB ahead of Marcelo, and unlike Marcelo, he’s very good defensively. Alonso must’ve been the biggest surprise for most readers, but I have my explanation. Xabi’s performances were deteriorating last season, one can say it was because he was continously being played despite of carrying an injury but we must also look at his age. He’ll turn 32 this year and just underwent a surgery on his groin injury, so one shouldn’t expect to see the Xabi of old. As for Di Maria, he’ll be used for rotation only, he didn’t convince at all last season, thoroughly inconsistent. And once either Suarez or Cavani arrives, Benzema will also be relegated to the bench.
The likes of Casemiro, Nacho, Jese and Morata won’t get straight into the starting lineup, but they’ll get their chances in the Copa matches and in some Liga matches against the bottom 5-7 teams of the teams. Morata could leave on loan or on a permanent deal with a buy back clause included, to gain proper first team experience.
Kaka, Albiol and Callejon are likely to be sold. And even if they stay, they won’t get many chances. Higuain to Arsenal will be completed in coming days.
