Real Madrid News
Arbeloa makes statement about Real Madrid’s future with starting XI averaging just 23.3
Real Madrid produced a memorable performance at the Santiago Bernabeu as they secured a convincing 4-1 victory over Elche.
However, the scoreline was not the only talking point of the evening, as the match also highlighted the strong faith that manager Alvaro Arbeloa currently has in the club’s youth academy.
Real Madrid entered the game with serious squad limitations, as 10 first-team players were unavailable.
Instead of relying purely on experienced options, Arbeloa decided to turn to the club’s famous academy, La Fabrica. The result was a starting lineup that had an average age of just 23.3 years.
Despite the inexperience on paper, the young side handled the challenge impressively and helped deliver a comfortable victory at the Bernabeu.
One of the most notable inclusions was young midfielder Thiago Pitarch, who started his fourth consecutive match.
However, he was substituted later in the game so he could be rested ahead of Real Madrid’s upcoming Champions League clash against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.
Who were the others?
As the match progressed, several more academy players entered the pitch.
Diego Aguado, Gonzalo Garcia, Dani Yanez, Manuel Angel and Cesar Palacios were all introduced from the bench, further reducing the team’s average age and giving the Bernabeu crowd a glimpse of the club’s next generation.
Yanez even made a direct impact on the game by providing the assist for Real Madrid’s third goal.
Among the few experienced players in the lineup were Thibaut Courtois and Dani Carvajal. At 33 and 34 years old, respectively, the pair provided leadership and stability within an otherwise very young squad.
The rest of the team was filled with players still in their early 20s.
Fran Garcia, aged 26, was one of the slightly older outfield players, while Eduardo Camavinga, at just 23, represented the more established group of young stars.
Alongside him were emerging talents such as Dean Huijsen, Arda Guler and Gonzalo, all of whom are still only around 20 or 21 years old but already showing strong potential in top-level football.
By the final half-hour of the match, the presence of so many young players had reduced Real Madrid’s average age on the pitch to just 23.3 years.
Real Madrid News
Mourinho considering starting 23-year-old Real Madrid ace against Villarreal – report
After impressing during the international break, Eduardo Camavinga has a major opportunity to establish himself in Real Madrid’s midfield rotation.
Indeed, according to Defensa Central, Jose Mourinho is considering starting the Frenchman against Villarreal, with injuries and doubts over several players limiting his options.
Real Madrid cannot afford to drop points against Villarreal if they want to remain in the title race. However, Mourinho has issues to deal with in the squad, which could lead him to turn to Camavinga for a crucial role.
Camavinga could replace Tchouameni in midfield
The 23-year-old star could line up as the defensive midfielder in the double pivot, with Bernardo Silva or Arda Guler alongside him, and will be tasked with providing balance in midfield.
Real Madrid face Villarreal with several problems in central defence. Ibrahima Konate is expected to be a late call, leading Mourinho to consider moving Aurelien Tchouameni into defence alongside Antonio Rudiger.
Meanwhile, Federico Valverde could also struggle to be ready after the ankle injury he sustained in the derby before the international break.
The Uruguayan has continued to work individually away from the group and might return to group training tomorrow. Even then, his readiness to start remains in question.
That would leave a place open in midfield, with Camavinga in line to fill in.
Camavinga impressed during the international break
Camavinga has started only one match this season, the defeat against Real Betis.
Despite his limited opportunities, Mourinho is keen to bring the Frenchman back into the fold after he impressed for France during the international break.
Zinedine Zidane called the Real Madrid star up for his first France squad, and the midfielder performed well during the break.
That has given Mourinho and Real Madrid reason to be optimistic about using him against Villarreal, with the hope that he can move closer to the level he showed after first arriving at the club.
Therefore, the Villarreal match could represent an important test for Camavinga and a chance for the Frenchman to show that he can provide the balance Real Madrid need in midfield.
