Real Madrid News
Real Madrid’s Argentine phenom will continue in first-team dynamics – report
Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has once again been forced into the think tank early into the new season. After all, Vinicius Jr’s injury has left his team with few options in attack.
The manager now has only Joselu, Rodrygo Goes and Brahim Diaz to count on in attack for the next six weeks. Needless to say, the pressure to work around a solution falls on his shoulders.
According to reports from MARCA (h/t The Madrid Zone), the key could lie in Nico Paz. The Argentine prodigy is one of the academy’s finest talents and was even called up for pre-season by Ancelotti.
The Spanish publication states that the youngster will continue to be called up with the first team in the coming weeks.
With the manager having few options in attack, the time appears ripe for Paz to get his first official minutes for Real Madrid.
A constant shuttle between two teams
Ancelotti has kept Nico close to the first-team dynamics this summer and even called up the 18-year-old for Real Madrid’s La Liga clash against Almeria at the Power Horse Stadium.
The starlet stayed on the bench throughout the game, but his very presence in the squad speaks volumes about Ancelotti’s confidence in him.
Despite making the trip with the senior setup, Paz has played a critical role for Raul Gonzalez’s Real Madrid Castilla side.
In fact, he has scored one goal and provided one assist in his last two games for the subsidiary team.
Nico has earned the love of the dressing room
Reports earlier this week brought forth that the Argentine phenom had won the faith of the senior team dressing room and the manager.
Many of the Merengues’ stars believe that the sky is the limit for Paz and are actively contributing to his growth.
Toni Kroos even spoke openly about the youngster’s quality and invited him to train with them earlier this summer, saying, “He’s great, he should always train with us.”
With Vinicius out injured, it could finally be Paz’s moment to shine in attack for Real Madrid. He may be an attacking midfielder by trade, but there is no doubt that he has the versatility to adapt to the manager’s needs.
There just does not appear to be any respite from injuries for Real Madrid.
Just when it appeared that they were close to having their full squad – barring the two long-term absentees – the Merengues have been struck down by fresh injuries this week.
Arda Guler, who was on the cusp of being named in the squad for the Las Palmas clash, injured himself in training on Tuesday.
And now, during the game against Las Palmas at the Santiago Bernabeu, Real Madrid have lost key defender David Alaba to an injury.
Close to the 40th-minute mark, Alaba went down on the ground clutching his leg and appeared to be in quite a bit of discomfort.
Soon enough, the medical staff arrived to take a look at the Austrian and seconds later he was off the pitch and straight towards the tunnel.
Lucas Vazquez came on to replace the injured Alaba, with Nacho Fernandez moving into the centre-back position alongside Antonio Rudiger.
Alaba’s injury leaves Carlo Ancelotti with just two fit centre-backs in Rudiger and Nacho, which is set to be a matter of great concern.
The hope will be that Alaba’s condition is nothing serious and that he is able to mount a quick recovery.
