Real Madrid News
Key reason why Real Madrid cooled interest in €40m-rated midfielder – report
Real Madrid have had a largely successful summer transfer window so far, but one position that they have not yet reinforced is midfield.
Los Blancos did sign Bernardo Silva on a free transfer, who is capable of playing in a deeper midfield role and controlling the game, but the team still seem to be lacking one more profile.
Jose Mourinho’s team need a natural, deep-lying playmaker who can control the game like Toni Kroos and were linked with Rodri earlier this summer.
However, the Spanish midfield superstar chose to move to Barcelona, and it has been revealed that Mourinho would still like a midfielder if sales happen this week.
Now, according to journalist Miguel Serrano on Defensa Central, one player who appears unlikely to arrive at the Santiago Bernabeu is Stuttgart midfielder Angelo Stiller.
Madrid have assessed Stiller
Serrano has indicated that Stiller was considered by Real Madrid last summer, rather than during the current transfer window. However, they ultimately decided against pursuing him.
Valued at €40million, the 25-year-old Germany international has attracted attention because of his ability to control possession and distribute the ball from deeper areas of the midfield.
However, Stiller does not appear to be the solution being pursued at Valdebebas. There are said to be doubts within the club over the player’s level.
Madrid are not convinced that the German has what it takes to make the jump to the Bernabeu. The consideration highlighted is Bayern Munich’s lack of interest in the player.
A former academy graduate of the Bavarian club, the German giants usually go all out to sign a player they find impressive in the Bundesliga. However, that has not been the case with Stiller.
Madrid unwilling to sign for the sake of it
It is worth remembering that one of Madrid’s best-ever midfielders, Toni Kroos, was a player who was not rated properly by Bayern Munich.
Thus, going by the German club’s assessment of Stiller might not be a wise way for Madrid to make a decision.
However, the stance not to sign him fits with the broader approach Los Blancos seem to be taking this summer window.
There is no doubt that Mourinho could benefit from another controlling midfielder, but Madrid simply do not want to add another body for the sake of it.
The Spanish club will only move for a player if he represents a clear upgrade and possesses the quality necessary to play at the Bernabeu.
Should Stiller go on to have yet another good Bundesliga season, his name could continue to surface due to his obvious technical quality.
However, unless something drastic changes in the remaining days of the window, Madrid are unlikely to move for Stiller.
After a disappointing defeat to Real Betis, Real Madrid returned to winning ways on Tuesday night, following a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Inter Milan.
It was a tense game for Los Blancos, who had to hold on to their slender advantage in the last stretch of the game and were unable to score more goals after an early flurry that saw them gain a 2-0 advantage.
A worrying trend in front of goal
According to MARCA, Real Madrid lead all of Europe in big chances created with 27, but they also top a far less flattering chart, having squandered 19 of them.
That means Real Madrid are missing seven out of every ten clear opportunities they generate, the worst conversion rate on the continent.
Barcelona follow closely with the same number of chances created but a superior return, having wasted 15.
The issue has become a recurring theme in recent matches. Against Betis, Real Madrid dominated and accumulated three expected goals, including a penalty missed by Kylian Mbappe, yet still contrived to lose.
Against Inter, they again peppered the goal without the necessary precision to kill the game off.
Courtois to the rescue
The victory over Inter owed much to a superb performance from Thibaut Courtois, who produced several crucial saves to preserve the three points.
The two Real Madrid goals bore Mourinho’s trademark, both stemming from high pressing. Mbappe forced an error before finishing off Brahim Diaz’s assist, while Federico Valverde capitalised on hesitation from goalkeeper Josep Martinez.
However, having eased into a 2-0 lead, Real Madrid again passed up chance after chance, allowing Inter back into the contest through Lautaro Martinez’s late goal.
It must be noted Real Madrid had 35.6% possession against Inter ranking among the lowest recorded for the club in the Champions League.
For Mourinho, the ideal is clear: winning by finishing off the chances his side create. If Real Madrid can start converting at a rate befitting their creativity, they will become an even more fearsome proposition.
