Real Madrid News
Real Madrid icon warns club over La Liga chances and identifies major weakness: ‘They offer no guarantees’
Real Madrid may have started Jose Mourinho’s reign with a Champions League victory, but player and director of football Pedja Mijatovic believes the team still has plenty to prove before it can be considered a serious La Liga contender.
Real Madrid defeated Inter Milan 2-1 in the Champions League, yet the Santiago Bernabeu crowd made its frustration clear by booing some of the players during the match.
For Mijatovic, the reaction was not about what happened on the night.
“I was surprised by them because we were winning, but it goes back two years.
“People are already angry about not winning any trophies in recent years and it doesn’t take much to make them boo. They’re not very happy,” he told El Larguero.
Mijatovic, who played for Real Madrid between 1996 and 1999 before returning as the club’s director of football from 2006 to 2009, believes the fans have legitimate concerns about the current squad.
The former striker said, “Real Madrid offer no guarantees that they have a squad capable of winning La Liga.”
At the same time, he also pointed to “the behaviour of certain players who, at a particular moment, anger the fans.
“It’s a lack of footballing quality, but the players have to carry on with their work despite having the fans against them, and Mourinho is quite clear on that,” he emphasised.
Mijatovic sees early signs of Mourinho influence
Mourinho’s return has brought a clear focus on organisation and discipline, and Mijatovic believes the Portuguese manager is already beginning to leave his mark.
He said, “It’s early days, but you can sense a certain seriousness… Little by little, Mou will achieve what he wants: a solid, united team that’s lethal on the counter-attack.”
That transformation, though, will not happen immediately. Mijatovic urged fans and observers to give the new project more time rather than reaching conclusions after a handful of fixtures.
“We need to be patient. We shouldn’t judge them now based on just five matches played,” he advised.
Real Madrid still missing a playmaker
Mijatovic also identified what he believes remains the biggest footballing weakness in the squad: creativity from midfield.
Bernardo Silva has been mentioned as a potential answer to Madrid’s lack of control and invention, but Mijatovic insisted the club must first make the most of the players already available.
“Real Madrid have the potential to improve. There’s no point in lamenting the players who are no longer here and who have made history, such as Luka Modrić and Toni Kroos.
“We miss them… but where do we find players like these two? We must have faith in those who are already here and never compare them to Modrić and Toni Kroos,” he said.
Mijatovic nevertheless believes Madrid are still missing a player capable of dictating games from the middle of the pitch.
“I’m still missing a playmaker at Real Madrid… who could easily have been Rodri, but it wasn’t to be, so we have to look for one within the squad.”
Lastly, the former Madrid director believes patience will be necessary, but the supporters will demand visible improvement.
“Madrid can improve, but people are in a bit of a stir and protesting. And that will continue until the team shows something different,” he concluded.
Real Madrid News
Mourinho considering starting 23-year-old Real Madrid ace against Villarreal – report
After impressing during the international break, Eduardo Camavinga has a major opportunity to establish himself in Real Madrid’s midfield rotation.
Indeed, according to Defensa Central, Jose Mourinho is considering starting the Frenchman against Villarreal, with injuries and doubts over several players limiting his options.
Real Madrid cannot afford to drop points against Villarreal if they want to remain in the title race. However, Mourinho has issues to deal with in the squad, which could lead him to turn to Camavinga for a crucial role.
Camavinga could replace Tchouameni in midfield
The 23-year-old star could line up as the defensive midfielder in the double pivot, with Bernardo Silva or Arda Guler alongside him, and will be tasked with providing balance in midfield.
Real Madrid face Villarreal with several problems in central defence. Ibrahima Konate is expected to be a late call, leading Mourinho to consider moving Aurelien Tchouameni into defence alongside Antonio Rudiger.
Meanwhile, Federico Valverde could also struggle to be ready after the ankle injury he sustained in the derby before the international break.
The Uruguayan has continued to work individually away from the group and might return to group training tomorrow. Even then, his readiness to start remains in question.
That would leave a place open in midfield, with Camavinga in line to fill in.
Camavinga impressed during the international break
Camavinga has started only one match this season, the defeat against Real Betis.
Despite his limited opportunities, Mourinho is keen to bring the Frenchman back into the fold after he impressed for France during the international break.
Zinedine Zidane called the Real Madrid star up for his first France squad, and the midfielder performed well during the break.
That has given Mourinho and Real Madrid reason to be optimistic about using him against Villarreal, with the hope that he can move closer to the level he showed after first arriving at the club.
Therefore, the Villarreal match could represent an important test for Camavinga and a chance for the Frenchman to show that he can provide the balance Real Madrid need in midfield.
