Just four months have passed since Real Madrid tasted their tenth European crown. The La Decima holders were feared to be the deadliest of all teams in Europe. But all of a sudden, the history chasers lost their rhythm completely after they allowed two of their best midfielders in Xabi Alonso and Angel Di Maria to leave the Spanish capital. Though they have strengthened their squad with World Cup heroes Toni Kroos and James Rodriguez, they struggle to keep their momentum from their last season.
Numerous reports blame Madrid's transfer strategy as the reason behind their early collapse. Everyone and every team wants to be better and Real Madrid were not an exception. The knowledge of Kroos and James Rodriguez must have done the job for them, but, surprisingly they were worse than last season claiming only two victories in their last six competitive fixtures. The departures of play maker Angel Di Maria and the MAESTRO Xabi Alonso were pointed to as the reasons for the situation by everyone including the Real Madrid faithful. But, do they really miss them?
WHAT JAMES RODRIGUEZ CAN OFFER?
Before we discuss about Di Maria, let’s have a look at his successor and the new GALACTICO. The Colombian who played a key role for Monaco last season caught the world’s attention in the FIFA main event with his blistering performances that won him the Golden boot award. With the absence of their front man Rademel Falcao, the little Colombian took all responsibility even though he has been given a different role.
The versatility of Rodriguez is definitely one of his merits that he can perform well in any attacking role: either it may be left, right or center. He can also perform as a false nine. The skills, the vision to create and the improvisation make him a whole attacking package.
THE DIFFERENCE
Does he differ from Di Maria? Of course YES: Pace the former had is hard to replace and the later can’t produce the speedy counter attacks which Di Maria is specialist in. For a team like Real Madrid with players like Cristiano Ronaldo and Gerath Bale, Di Maria's pace surely served better.
But, if we go back another year when Mesut Ozil played in the role, the impact of Di Maria is considerably lower. Still, the pace of the team’s attack is not. The combination of Cristiano and Ozil was deadly as well. Notable point is Ozil had no Bale who is one of the main reason for La Decima as he is the guy who converted the deflected shot of Di Maria at Lisbon. It is a well-known fact that Ozil is not as pacier as Di Maria or Bale, still he managed to create faster chances.
So, the key here is not only the pace, but, the understanding and readability with players such as Cristiano Ronaldo. James is a good playmaker, but a different one compared to Ozil and Di Maria. Hence, it is only just a matter of time for him to build a bond with the seniors.
IS DI MARIA MISSING REALLY?
The Argentine who won the man of the match award in the showcase event at Lisbon continued his run of form with his national team and reached the Finals but failed to get the better of the Germans as the European powerhouse returned home as Champions. Di Maria played a great role with Argentina and produced much needed assists whenever needed. But, that did very little to convince Real Madrid authorities who decided to cash in on the Argentine.
The early collapse in Real Madrid is an expected one after him and Alonso left the Bernabeu. The pace coupled with work rate of Di Maria is irreplaceable with Kroos and Rodriguez and the entire world witnessed that, accusing the club for allowing Di Maria to depart. In the first leg of Spanish Super cup it is the Argentine who changed the game after coming in as a substitute. But, everything went to dust when he was transfer-listed and subsequently thrown out of the squad for the second leg which Real Madrid lost.
The pressure and criticism reached its peak after Real lost their Laliga fixture against Real Sociedad and the second loss came from the hands of their neighbors Atletico, which rubbed salt into the wounds and offered sugar candies to the critics.
But, the wonder thing about the losses is Real created enough chances, even clear cut chances, but, failed to capitalize. The creation department of Kroos, Modric and James produced a decent performance in all those games. Toni Kroos showed his quality right from the beginning whose passes hardly went wrong. Modric has given the same consistent and clean performance as of last season. James is doing well and he is adopting nicely, even though he is not at his best.
THEN WHY REAL MADRID LOST?
Even though they created the chances they lacked the balance that they had last season. The absence of Xabi Alonso is clearly felt as Kroos failed to do the dirty work of the Spaniard. Also, the defensive unit of Ramos & Co leaked more chances and often failed aerially.
During the start of their last season when Alonso was sidelined due to injury, team faced a similar lack of balance and Real struggled to control the ball in the center. Once the veteran was fit and employed, all the defensive related issues was then sorted out with the Spanish midfield master dictating the play in the middle, at the same time commanding the defense unit as well.
This is what Carlo Ancelotti is expecting from Kroos. As the German is not at the level of the Spaniard in reading the game defensively, it makes things a bit tricky. And if Real want to conquer Europe once again then he need to sort out this issue immediately or they are going to suffer for sure.
Considering the performance of the European champions so far in this season, it is clear that they are missing he experienced Spaniard than the Argentine playmaker. As for as Di Maria was concerned Rodriguez and Modric can provide the chances and all they need is just a time to settle the things down and to create a new Chemistry.
For the Alonso sized hole, it is all about Kroos and his ability to adopt and that needs to happen quicker.
If Kroos fails, then it is all going to end up on Ancelotti’s head.
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