Real Madrid put in their most solid performance in months against Benfica in the Champions League, securing a 1-0 victory over Benfica. It was a result that follows on from five straight Liga wins under Alvaro Arbeloa, and a growing sense that he is putting together a more solid side.
It was a dramatic contrast from their visit to Lisbon just three weeks prior, in what was just his fifth game in charge, where Los Blancos looked ragged and struggled to defend. While Real Madrid are always among the favourites in the Champions League with DraftKings (which also has a Casino Gaming expansion too), their hopes took a knock against Benfica the first time round, as they continued to look short of the required solidity to mount a challenge in Europe.
However the mature performance from Real Madrid in their play-off round first leg showed a different side of this Real Madrid. The difference was made by Vinicius Junior, but Real Madrid were comfortably the better side throughout. Outside of an early shot from Fredrik Aursnes that was well-saved by Thibaut Courtois, it was one of the Belgian’s more comfortable nights.
The midfield four of Arda Guler, Fede Valverde, Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga provided versatile and adaptable platform, allowing their forwards to remain high up the pitch, their full-backs to get forward, and provided sufficient runs from deep to occupy the opposing defence. At the same time, Tchouameni was always accompanied by one of Valverde, Camavinga or Dean Huijsen stepping in to win the ball back whenever possession was lost.
It was perhaps the most well-rounded performance that Real Madrid have put in all season, and it raises the question – where does Jude Bellingham fit into the puzzle? The England international is undoubtedly one of their most talented players, and is currently out through injury, a hamstring issue that could extend into mid-March.
Bellingham could potentially slot into Guler’s role, as the player who links the forwards with the midfield, but his best games have come with him moving into the final third without the ball. Alternatively he could be a deeper runner, replacing one of Valverde or Camavinga. That feels a slightly more natural fit, but Bellingham is a much more offensively minded player than either of the others.
Clearly, there are benefits that come with Bellingham’s presence, but Arbeloa will have to either convince Bellingham to curb his natural instincts in midfield and allow Guler to be the most offensive option. Or he may have have to go for a more direct style with Bellingham replacing the Turkish talent.
