Real Madrid’s comeback win over Roma midweek was a massive statement from the club that they still have the winning mentality that has defined them over the years.
Until midway through the second half, however, Los Blancos looked lost for ideas and lacking inspiration, particularly in midfield where the Autelien Tchouameni-Federico Valverde set-up once again disappointed.
Eventually, Jose Mourinho brought on Arda Guler and Bernardo Silva into midfield, and the team immediately began playing with more control of the game. Needless to say, the situation once again raised questions about the manager’s preference for the Uruguayan-French pivot pairing.
No plans to change
Mourinho will not compromise on physicality. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
As reported by MARCA in a recent update, Mourinho does not appear to have changed his mind on the Valvderde-Tchoaumeni combination yet.
Despite the duo falling short in recent games, all signs point to the manager sticking to the same doubt-pivot combination in the coming games starting from the weekend’s clash against Sevilla.
After all, even the manager’s post-match press conference after the game against Roma highlighted how he prefers physicality over technicality in midfield.
“If we started with the XI who ended the game, they put five past us. There are moments and moments. I had changes to make. They were going to get tired, the cards were going to arrive.”
One possible solution
Valverde could move to right-back. (Photo by Tullio M. Puglia/Getty Images)
It is clear that physicality is a non-negotiable for Real Madrid and Jose Mourinho. In that sense, keeping Tchouameni and Valverde on the field is vital.
One workaround would be to place the captain at right-back – a position he has thrived in over recent seasons and where he also shifted after Guler came on in the last game.
Moving Valverde to the defence helps kill two birds with one stone. While the player also stays on the field and brings the physical intensity required, it also opens up a place in midfield for a more technical player to arrive.
With El Clasico just a stone’s throw away, it will be interesting to see how Mourinho lines up his troops and if he can strike the right balance between physical and technical midfielders.