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Asencio, Rodrygo start in a 4-2-3-1 – How Real Madrid can line up against Las Palmas
Real Madrid will look to climb to the top of the La Liga standings when they take on UD Las Palmas later today at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Los Blancos are just a point behind current leaders Atletico Madrid, who fell to a defeat to Leganes on Saturday while arch-rivals Barcelona were also held to a 1-1 draw by Getafe.
A victory today would see Real Madrid go two points clear the Rojiblancos and seven ahead of Barcelona and as such, it is an opportunity too good to let go for Carlo Ancelotti’s men.
The reigning champions of Spain and Europe go into the game without superstar forward Vinicius Jr. and captain Luka Modric, both of whom are suspended. Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao, and Eduardo Camavinga are out with injury.
But the Merengues have been handed a big boost in the defensive department with David Alaba back in the squad after 13 months out due to his ACL injury.
Having made some notable changes for the Copa del Rey clash against Celta Vigo earlier in the week, here’s how Ancelotti is likely to set his Real Madrid team up today against Las Palmas.
Defence
After being rested for the cup tie on Thursday night, Thibaut Courtois will be back manning the goal for Real Madrid today against Las Palmas.
There will be one solitary change in the defensive line as well, with Ferland Mendy expected to replace Fran Garcia as the starting left-back.
Raul Asencio should continue in central defence for the second game in a row, continuing his rise in prominence in the first-team setup.
Antonio Rudiger will be the youngter’s partner at the heart of the backline while Lucas Vazquez occupies the right side of the defence again.
Midfield
Having been moved to the middle of the park in the last game, Aurelien Tchouameni impressed in his natural position and should continue in the role once again, more so with no Camavinga or Modric available for selection.
The French international will most likely be partnered by Federico Valverde in the double pivot for Real Madrid, with the Uruguayan returning to the side after being benched for the cup tie.
Jude Bellingham is another player who will make a return to the starting lineup, featuring as the lone attacking midfielder, hoping to extend his goalscoring streak.
Attack
With Vinicius Jr. unavailable for selection as he serves a two-match ban, the starting spot on the left flank is up for grabs. And everything points towards Rodrygo Goes starting against Las Palmas after not featuring in the lineup against Celta.
Kylian Mbappe, who has been in good goalscoring form of late, will line up as the centre-forward once again and hope to lead his team to a victory. Meanwhile, Brahim Diaz should hold on to his spot on the right side of the frontline for Los Blancos.
It would mean that Endrick will have to make do with a place on the bench despite his match-winning heroics in the Copa del Rey clash this week.
Real Madrid’s season, under the returning Jose Mourinho, has not started as expected at the club.
In terms of results, eight matches have produced six wins one draw and two defeats in all competitions. Both losses have come in La Liga (five wins), leading to the Merengues occupying the fourth place in the table.
Meanwhile, arch-rivals Barcelona have maintained a perfect winning record riding on their relentless goalscoring form, opening up a six-point lead at the table.
Mourinho is using the international break to analyse what has gone wrong and what can be improved. And, several metrics and statistics show that Real Madrid has significant room for improvement.
As highlighted a few days ago, Real Madrid are the team that covers the fewest kilometres per match in La Liga on average, at 96.5, almost ten fewer than Barcelona’s 104.5. Los Blancos are also second-bottom for high-intensity runs per match, with 394.
Possession and defensive numbers
There are further figures suggesting that Real Madrid could be doing more in terms of off-the-ball efforts and defensively.
Real Madrid also happen to be the team that commits the fewest fouls, with 59, fewer than half Espanyol’s 120, yet it is also the team that has been fouled the most in La Liga, with 97.
In terms of recoveries, the Spanish capital giants rank 16th with 302, 38 fewer than Barcelona, while they are also near the bottom for interceptions, ranking 17th.
One argument could be that these figures indicate that Real Madrid are dominating games more often than they are dominated, leaving fewer opportunities to be aggressive without the ball.
However, the numbers do not particularly support that theory either. Real Madrid average 52.3% possession, only slightly more than half.
That is a long way behind Barcelona’s 68.7% and also below Villarreal at 61.4%. Even Atlético Madrid (59.1%) and Real Betis (53.6%) outdo the Merengues.
That possession also allows Barcelona to protect themselves more effectively. The Catalans have conceded just 51 shots, including 22 on target, while Real Madrid have faced 89 shots, with 31 on target.
Finishing not up to the mark either
Real Madrid can improve defensively, but the attacking numbers also reveal significant room for growth.
The biggest issue is finishing. The Merengues have scored 18 goals, 13 fewer than Barcelona’s 31.
That is despite the two teams having taken a similar number of shots: Barça have attempted 150, compared with 131 for Los Blancos. The difference is even smaller when looking at shots on target, with 58 for Barcelona and 53 for Madrid.
Barcelona’s players score once every 1.8 shots on target, while Real Madrid stars needs almost three.
The contrast is particularly clear when comparing the leading scorers for both teams, Raphinha and Kylian Mbappe.
The Brazilian has scored 12 goals from just 25 total shots and 16 shots on target. Real Madrid’s No. 10, meanwhile, has scored seven goals from 41 attempts and 22 shots on target.
The numbers clearly show that Real Madrid have a lot of work to do, both in defence and in attack, if they are to close the gap to the top.
Source: AS
