Real Madrid News
Morocco star extends national team invitation to Real Madrid youngster
It is clear that Real Madrid’s young midfielder Thiago Pitarch has a bright future. While he appears set to grow in prominence at the club level for Real Madrid, his international future has been a subject of much debate.
Having both Spanish and Moroccan roots, the player has the option of picking his side to represent at the senior level. While his inclination has been towards La Roja, the Moroccan federation have also been pushing to convince the player.
As it stands, it looks likely that the player will continue to represent Spain with Luis de La Fuente even openly sharing that the player is keen on the same.
Nothing, however, can be ruled out at this point with Moroccan players even openly inviting him to join their group.
Moroccan goalkeeper invites Pitarch
Al-Hilal goalkeeper and Moroccan national team mainstay Yassine Bonou spoke to the media after Morocco’s draw against Ecuador last night, and one of the topics of discussion was the international future of Thiago Pitarch.
He first began by extending an open welcome to the Real Madrid star should he opt to represent the Moroccan federation.
“Let him know that here we will always receive him with open arms,” Bonou began.
He then explained how Pitarch has the option to choose his federation and the freedom to make the decision himself.
“He has family here (Morocco) and also in Spain. He will do what he really feels.”
Finally, he again warmly extended an invitation to the player and spoke on how important it would be for them to have a Real Madrid player in their circuit.
“Every player who has a relationship with Morocco is welcome. And more, if Real Madrid is a player.”
Source: AS
Bernardo Silva was one of Real Madrid’s headline signings last summer. The Portuguese midfielder arrived on a free transfer from Manchester City and appeared destined to become the creative successor to Toni Kroos and Luka Modric in the middle of the park.
Indeed, with the club having not signed a new central midfielder, many within Real Madrid saw the veteran star as a solution to the issue.
Manager Jose Mourinho made him a starter from the very beginning in pre-season, but not in his usual role on the right. Instead, he deployed his compatriot as a deep-lying playmaker in the midfield double pivot.
A change in circumstances
Silva failed to have the expected influence when operating in a deeper role in midfield in the chances he got.
Combined with the emergence of Arda Guler and Aurelien Tchouameni’s return to fitness, the Portuguese international has now lost his place in the starting line-up and dropped to the bench.
Bernardo’s situation became particularly striking against Villarreal this past Saturday at the Santiago Bernabeu, when he did not play a single minute.
Limited opportunities under Mourinho
Bernardo has played six matches for Real Madrid, starting three and coming on as a substitute in another three.
He did not feature against Villarreal or Elche, while his only appearance in the last three matches was a little over 10 minutes against Atletico Madrid. He was not used regularly by the Portugal national team during the international break either.
Across Real Madrid’s eight La Liga fixtures, Silva has accumulated just 282 minutes of playing time.
The Champions League now presents another opportunity for the former Manchester City captain, who has yet to make his European debut for Real Madrid this season.
He missed the match against Inter Milan because he was still serving a suspension carried over from his time at the Etihad Stadium last season.
It remains to be seen whether Mourinho will give him an opportunity against AS Roma in the coming week.
For now, the midfielder’s reduced playing time suggests that the Portuguese coach has lost some of his faith in a player who arrived with high expectations after leaving Manchester City.
