Real Madrid News
Carlo Ancelotti planning ‘new’ tactics for Eden Hazard and Rodrygo next season
Real Madrid cruised through most of last season with ease, steamrolling through competition in La Liga, and making miraculous comebacks in the Champions League.
Toni Kroos was unplayable during the first half of the campaign, with Luka Modric carrying the midfield through most of their UCL games. Federico Valverde and Eduardo Camavinga acted as more than able deputies, while Nacho did not put a foot wrong as the first-choice CB backup.
Carlo Ancelotti’s biggest, and probably only problem through the season was not having an ideal backup for Karim Benzema. But if reports from El Chiringuito are to be believed, the Italian has a sound plan to escape that worry.
He intends to use Eden Hazard and Rodrygo in a false 9 capacity to cover for Benzema next season.
Now that Luka Jovic has moved to Fiorentina and Gareth Bale to Los Angeles, Ancelotti just has Mariano Diaz as a natural striker. And with all due respect, he is probably not at the level Madrid expect or want.
Ancelotti actually tried using a false 9 once last season, against Barcelona no less. With the Frenchman injured, he deployed Luka Modric in that capacity hoping to create overloads in the midfield.
It did not quite work out for him as planned, though, as Xavi’s side ran riots at the Santiago Bernabeu, leaving him with a 0-4 win.
Reports last week claimed that Hazard had requested Ancelotti to switch his position next season, hoping for a role more ‘central’ role.
Madrid Universal’s take
It makes sense that Ancelotti might want to use Hazard and Rodrygo as backups to Benzema next season.
Not only do both of them have experience playing in a role similar to that — Hazard under Conte, and Rodrygo at Santos —, but their first-choice role in the team – the left-wing – is pretty much property of Vinicius Jr.
They cannot replicate Benzema’s prowess in the penalty area, but their tactical and technical prowess allows them to act as the perfect outlets between midfield and attack to progress the attack.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr. admits finishing problem after another frustrating night vs Elche: ‘Can’t miss that much’
Vinicius Jr.’s difficult start in front of goal continued against Elche, and the Real Madrid forward did not need anyone to tell him he had missed another chance to make the difference.
The Brazilian finished the night without a goal despite having chances to get on the scoresheet, while his teammates could only watch from the bench as opportunities went begging.
Jose Mourinho had already identified the problem before kick-off, bluntly pointing to the issue facing his forward, stating, “He’s missing the goal.”
Vini offered an equally frank assessment afterwards.
Rather than hide from another frustrating evening, he accepted responsibility on social media: “The goals will come back; I can’t miss that much…”
Two chances, no finish for Vinicius
Vinicius had two particularly clear openings against Elche, but neither produced the finish Real Madrid needed from their star forward.
The first arrived when he found himself one-on-one with the opposition goalkeeper.
Instead of finding the net, Vinicius caught the ball with the tip of his foot and sent his effort wide. Arda Guler was available during the move and called for the ball, but Vini backed himself to finish the chance.
He had another opportunity after the interval, this time following an excellent pass from Guler during a quick Real Madrid transition. Again, though, Vinicius could not find the target.
His evening ended in the 68th minute, with Mourinho deciding the Brazilian was tired and turning his attention towards Sunday’s Atletico Madrid derby.
Mourinho has a bigger decision to make
The numbers show why Vinicius’ finishing has become a talking point. He managed five shots against Elche, but only one was on target and none found the net.
After seven appearances this season, the Brazilian has scored just once, which is a striking return for a player Real Madrid rely upon to provide a major share of their attacking threat.
Ultimately, though, Real Madrid found another route to victory, with Arda Guler, Kylian Mbappe and Carlos Espi providing the goals in the 3-2 comeback.
