Real Madrid News
Former player believes Real Madrid lack players like Ronaldo and Benzema after defeat to Liverpool
Real Madrid’s approach of looking towards young talents alongside top players has seen them shift to a long-term project – something relatively unconventional for Los Blancos who have always hunted for immediate success.
The current Real Madrid team has some of the world’s finest young talents as it stands including Franco Mastantuono, Arda Guler, and Jude Bellingham. While they are indeed highly rated, they are all still far from their potential.
Xabi Alonso, thus, has a task on his hands to develop the players and mould them into the players they are expected to transform into. Success, thus is not a given, and will have to be earned through hard work and a clear project in mind.
Former player speaks on Real Madrid’s potential
In a recent interview, former Real Madrid star Alvaro Benito was asked about Real Madrid’s current run of form, their strengths, weaknesses, and areas to improve on especially as highlighted by the defeat to Liverpool.
He began by speaking on how the generation to had left Real Madrid was far superior to the one that is currently donning the white colour jersey and how there was a tangible difference in quality between the generations.
“In recent years Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema, Isco, Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, Casemiro, Sergio Ramos, Pepe, Varane, Marcelo have left,” he began.
“Those who have come are good, and there will always be very good players at Real Madrid. But at that level maybe there is only Mbappé and Bellingham we will see what happens,” he added.
He then spoke on how Real Madrid were never a team that needed tactics, discipline, and consistency to win given the sheer amount of individual brilliance in the team which helped them coast past any hurdle.
“Real Madrid had us badly accustomed us to not needing tactical rigor and regularity in the season, because the team sometimes even let itself go a little.”
Speaking on the current Real Madrid team and how they are under Xabi Alonso, the former player said,
“The spirit and mentality are very good, yes. But, if you don’t have the players of the level that Real Madrid has had in the last 10/12 years, it is impossible to achieve the incredible feats that the team has achieved.”
Finally, he gave his thoughts on the potential of the current Real Madrid team and how they compared to the greats of the past.
“Right now Real Madrid does not have those players. They have good players, some young people with a great ceiling and we will see what they become. But today there are teams that have more potential than Real Madrid,” he concluded.
Source: Mundo Deportivo
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.
