Real Madrid News
Ancelotti experimenting with Real Madrid’s blockbuster new signing as a No. 9 in training
With the international stars rejoining training in the United States, Carlo Ancelotti now has a nearly full-strength squad at his disposal ahead of the new season. Less than a month remains before the league kicks off, and the Italian tactician is against the wall in terms of formulating a new dynamic.
The departure of Karim Benzema and Marco Asensio leaves the coach short-staffed in the forward department. At the same time, there is a renewed depth in midfield considering the arrivals of Arda Guler and Jude Bellingham.
Arancha Rodriguez (h/t Madrid Xtra) provides an insider’s update on the ideas the manager is implementing in his training sessions. According to the journalist, Ancelotti used Bellingham as the No. 9 in yesterday’s training.
The setup experimented with included Vinicius Jr on the left flank and Brahim Diaz down the right. The new midfield signing started as the number nine to complete the front three.
Another forward trio tried by the Italian tactician consisted of Rodrygo Goes down the left and Arda Guler on the right wing with Joselu playing as the central striker.
Both the permutations experimented based on the fundamental of a 4-3-3 formation, yet present contrasting dynamics. While Joselu served as an out-and-out finisher in his role, the idea of deploying Bellingham in the forward line is different.
The English star was asked to play as a false-nine in the setup, dropping behind the wingers and orchestrating play from the half-spaces. Needless to say, it is one of the options on Ancelotti’s mind for next season if the club do not sign another attacker.
Apart from the 4-3-3 of last season, the manager is also considering options including a 4-4-2 diamond and a 4-2-3-1 setup with a double pivot. The coming preseason games will provide a clearer insight into the options Ancelotti sees as candidate choices.
Real Madrid were sent in a state of worry last night as their defensive options appeared to have fully diminished.
With Eder Militao already out on the sidelines, Los Blancos lost David Alaba to an injury in the first half of their game against Las Palmas at the Santiago Bernabeu.
It left Carlo Ancelotti with just two frontline senior centre-backs in Antonio Rudiger and Nacho Fernandez.
And by the end of the match, Rudiger was seen limping even though he played the entire 90 minutes.
Rudiger’s knock not serious
The sight of the German being in discomfort raised some concerns. But now, journalist Melchor Ruiz of COPE has provided a positive update on Rudiger’s situation which will come as a relief for Real Madrid fans.
As per the update, Rudiger was put through tests today and the results show that his condition is nothing to be concerned about.
All signs point towards the former Chelsea ace being available to play against La Liga leaders Girona on Saturday away at Montilivi.
This comes as a big relief for Los Blancos who would have been left with Nacho as the last man standing in the centre-back department if Rudiger too was injured.
What did Ancelotti say?
Speaking after the 2-0 win over Las Palmas last night, Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti had indicated that Rudiger’s injury was not something to worry about, saying:
“Rüdiger is touched, it’s a blow, but we think it’s going to be fine for the next game. The Alaba thing is a problem with the abductor and I don’t think he’ll be there on Saturday.”
And that is how it has panned out with Rudiger’s knock not serious and the German is now expected to be ready for the Girona clash.
As for Alaba, he will undergo MRI scans tomorrow to determine the extent of his injury.
