The criticism in Spain and elsewhere was predictable even before the end of the Real Madrid vs. Arsenal match at the Santiago Bernabeu. Some argue that Florentino Perez damaged a promising Real Madrid team by adding superstar players and disrupting the team`s balance. Arsenal, a well-organized team reminiscent of the recent European champions, exposed Real Madrid`s weaknesses, bringing to mind the less successful Real Madrid eras where individual star power overshadowed team cohesion.
However, the “Galactico” approach isn`t inherently flawed. Real Madrid needs to improve its team performance. This season`s problem isn`t solely the signing of Kylian Mbappe, but rather the failure to properly replace Toni Kroos`s crucial midfield role.
Federico Valverde, despite wearing the number 8 jersey, has performed exceptionally throughout the season. Even in this defeat, Valverde stood out as one of the few Madrid players who played well. He fulfilled his duties and more, even playing at right-back in the first leg and being a key player in possession during the second leg at the Bernabeu. Valverde led in touches, attempted passes, and ball progression. However, his skillset isn`t perfectly suited for replacing Kroos`s specific role.
Real Madrid lacked a deep-lying playmaker against Arsenal, a player capable of identifying and exploiting small gaps in Arsenal`s defensive structure with precise passes. Think of Kroos`s performance against Bayern Munich last season, where his 22 progressive passes stretched the opponent`s defense and facilitated Real Madrid`s attack.
In contrast, Real Madrid`s attacking play against Arsenal was slow and predictable. Luka Modric, who could have filled this role in the past, still possesses the vision, but his age affected his athleticism, as seen in the first leg.
Without a deep tempo-setter, Real Madrid`s plan seemed to rely solely on passing to their star attackers. Possession moved slowly to the left side, where Vinicius Junior was contained by Jurrien Timber. The right flank was equally ineffective. Pass maps from the game show a lack of passes into central areas between Arsenal`s lines, where Madrid could be most dangerous. While Declan Rice and Thomas Partey defended well, the best Real Madrid attacks can usually penetrate tight defenses.
Real Madrid needed a player who dictates play and inspires movement from teammates, a player whose passing ability is so exceptional that teammates instinctively make runs knowing they will be found. A player with an elite passing mind, like Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Bringing in Alexander-Arnold, potentially as early as July 1st, wouldn`t solve all of Real Madrid`s problems and might create new ones. Concerns about his defensive abilities are often exaggerated and are outweighed by his attacking contributions. However, Real Madrid currently lacks a center-back with the same level of coverage as Ibrahima Konate to support him defensively. Integrating Alexander-Arnold would require tactical adjustments, but the potential benefits are significant and worth the effort.
Ultimately, this loss to Arsenal emphasized the importance of team organization and diligence, qualities that were key to Real Madrid`s success last season. Returning to that disciplined approach is essential for reclaiming their place at the top of European football. Addressing their midfield creativity gap is crucial, and Alexander-Arnold appears to be the ideal solution.
