.

Football. Real Madrid. Tactical analysis and opinions.
@BTLVid ✍

[. @TheMidfieldRole]

https://t.co/Qhmtud0vXz

[. @TheMidfieldRole]

Xabi was very clear in the press conference about managing the distances between the players & also how he wants the team to move up and down the pitch as one unit.

Still a work in progress, cannot draw conclusions after just one game but the signs are there.

[— @nueverole]

Alonso wants the whole team moving up the pitch like a single unit, especially once they move up in Phase II and sustain pressure in the opp half; The closer they are, the easier it is to win the ball back again. You can see the distances of the players here in this picture.

[— @nueverole]

Xabi Alonso’s reshaping Real Madrid. A new system of play, new game model, new roles — A total tactical reboot.

- It'll take time - but the vision and intent is super clear. Fluidity, structure, intensity, control etc.

THREAD

[Pgs. @PgsMadridista]

I think Trent + Huijsen will make up for the long passing/line-breaking passes that we lost since Kroos.

We still need someone to control the tempo and be the guy who’s always available to receive a pass in tough situations. Hopefully that’ll be Arda

[. @TheMidfieldRole]

@nueverole Absolutely. Huijsen’s been fantastic so far.

[. @TheMidfieldRole]

Trent’s not being utilised properly when pushing forward as #8. Rodrygo’s tendency to take the def. 1v1 either ends in an overhit cross or lost possession. Guler-TAA would be a better fit. On the other hand, Huijsen & Tchouameni finding it easier to progress the ball centrally.

[. @TheMidfieldRole]

That Huijsen-Tchou-Jude axis has allowed Vini/Garcia to make good runs in behind if the CB ends up jumping on Jude.

[. @TheMidfieldRole]

@nueverole Congratulations buddy!

[— @nueverole]

This is what I was talking about Tchouameni. He's absolutely crucial to the balance Madrid need. His case of fluctuating performances are so so simple; another case of profiling — simply very disinterested playing in other positions where he doesn't feel like 'himself'.

[. @TheMidfieldRole]

Bellingham has been sensational in this 1st half. Popping up between the lines, superb on and off the ball.

Him and Foden as 8s is working well but at times when TAA is also caught upfield, Rice is isolated in the centre during turnovers. TAA has to be conservative.

[. @TheMidfieldRole]

@2d_strikers This is why goals against the momentum are pivotal. Croatia was getting into the game and were dominating and then Spain scored twice.

[. @TheMidfieldRole]

Croatia's spell of dominance in possession mid way through the 1st half before Spain struck twice in quick succession demonstrated this flaw in their press very evidently. Kovacic, Brozovic and Modric were picking pockets with ease.

[— @nueverole]

And even though they lacked the dynamism they once had, they still found openings just by rotation alone. Once the initial press is bypassed, and because the 8s are caught high-up the pitch due to the press, the #6 (Rodri) has to defend acres of space alone.

[WhattaHit @WhattaHit]

Pau Cubarsi may already be the best ball-playing defender in the world.

Pinpoint with both feet, at different speeds, different heights, different angles & under all kinds of pressure.

Also already has a good understanding of when to slow the game down. https://t.co/QOvj1uXVxm

[. @TheMidfieldRole]

That goal is all Cubarsi. His pass broke 2 lines of PSG's press & then Lewandowski's pass and run into the box, open net in the end but a well worked goal from front to back.

[. @TheMidfieldRole]

@Munacorleone It was not 1 instance, it happened multiple times, 2 goals came as a result of our setup. When we're facilitating it, it's our mistake and Carlo could've pushed our lines high again after Foden's strike.

[. @TheMidfieldRole]

@nueverole Etihad game, we need to start the game with intensity, trying to control all phases of play (even tho it's City) and also look to finish the game with the same intensity. The PSG home leg performance in 2021 is exactly what we need.

[. @TheMidfieldRole]

Having our first 2 lines deep w/o ball, allowing City to dig in, letting them create space in front of the block for those shots was a tactical error more than City's individual brilliance, you cannot let Foden have that much space in Z14. This was our game, we messed up.

[— @nueverole]

The draw still feels like a defeat

[. @TheMidfieldRole]

@MazinMMukhtar Hi Mazin

[. @TheMidfieldRole]

Hilarious how some people doubted Rodrygo. He's easily one of the best wingers in the world.

Give him the freedom to drive in from the left side, at his favorite angles and watch him create magic.

[. @TheMidfieldRole]

Kimmich started at RB in Bayern's most recent UCL success-2020. A player contributing in all phases of play, while Thiago commands the center of the pitch. This will work really well at Madrid, with Tchouameni controlling the centre and Kimmich providing value all over the pitch.

[— @nueverole]

Saw it from day one. I really wish Kimmich moved back permanently; we could potentially be looking at a Prime Carvajal level FB contributing in all phases.