Real Madrid News
Real Madrid continue to have total faith in experienced full-back – report
Real Madrid may boast of some of world football’s brightest young stars. However, it is no secret that the team still runs with the veterans at its core leading from the front.
Toni Kroos, Luka Modric and Karim Benzema are some of the players who are at the centre of every Real Madrid fightback, often single-handedly guiding the side through adversity. According to reports from ABC (h/t Madrid Xtra), the three are not the only veterans the management has faith in.
The Spanish outlet reports that Real Madrid and Carlo Ancelotti continue to trust Dani Carvajal at right-back and see the Spaniard as more than capable of handling the big European nights.
Over the years, Carvajal has established himself as one of the most consistent defenders in world football and is a mainstay for Los Blancos. Lucas Vazquez has come in as a more than able backup to rotate with the right-back in recent seasons, but it is still Carvajal who starts the big games.
The 31-year-old has made 19 La Liga appearances for Los Blancos this season including 14 starts. In that duration, he has provided two assists and averages a key pass in every game. Defensively, he racks up over five defensive actions per ninety minutes.
Further, Carvajal has started five of Real Madrid’s seven UEFA Champions League games including the recent outing against Liverpool at Anfield. On the night, he had ten defensive contributions and provided three accurate long balls.
There have been talks about signing a new right-back as a long-term replacement for the veteran. Yet, at 31 years of age, Carvajal has at least a couple more seasons in his tank before requiring a full-time deputy.
As Real Madrid look to restart the campaign following the end of the international break, all focus will be on the upcoming El Clasico in Copa del Rey on April 5.
However, before they take on their arch-rivals for a fourth time this year, Real Madrid must see off the challenge from Real Valladolid in La Liga on Sunday.
Given Barcelona’s 12-point advantage at the top of the table, La Liga appears to be a lost cause for Real Madrid right now. But that is no excuse for Carlo Ancelotti’s men to appear complacent, as they look to push for a late title charge.
However, heading into this contest, three Real Madrid players proceed with caution as they are running the risk of missing out on the next league game against Villarreal due to yellow cards.
The three players in question are Eduardo Camavinga, Dani Carvajal, and Dani Ceballos. All three of these players have picked up four yellow cards in La Liga this term. Therefore, picking up another booking against Valladolid will rule them out in the next game.
Camavinga, in particular, has been a vital part of the Real Madrid squad since the turn of the year, impressing onlookers with his performances and versatility.
Carvajal, too, is a critical option at right-back and his experience could go a long way in helping Real Madrid end the league campaign on a positive note. Not to mention, the club lack the services of a reliable alternative, which has led to links with Reece James this coming summer.
Ceballos, on the other hand, has been one of the emerging stars this year. The midfielder’s performances have been excellent lately, and he would not want to lose any momentum by picking up a suspension ahead of the important Villarreal game next week.
