When looking at Real Madrid’s performance this season, the mention of balance is crucial, particularly regarding their attacking strategy.
In a recent showdown, they triumphed over a vibrant Real Sociedad, extending their unbeaten streak in LaLiga to eight matches with an impressive 4-1 victory. Notably, this achievement came without the contributions of Kylian Mbappé.
Real Madrid wasted no time in taking control of the game. Within five minutes, they marked their first goal thanks to a precise pass from Trent Alexander-Arnold to Gonzalo Garcia. Though it’s only Alexander-Arnold’s second assist this season, injuries have restricted him to just 12 appearances across all competitions. As they prepare to face Benfica in the Champions League playoffs on Tuesday (viewable on Paramount+), this performance carried increased significance.
As one of the premier creative right-backs in football, Alexander-Arnold made headlines when he joined Real Madrid from Liverpool over the summer, stirring anticipation for his potential impact on the team’s attacking prowess. The statistics from his last season at Liverpool underline this expectation.
With a player capable of delivering effective forward passes, attackers can concentrate on positioning themselves advantageously, allowing talented midfielders like Federico Valverde to contribute more dynamically. This configuration proved effective, with Valverde transitioning from open play to pair with Vinicius Junior, who netted two penalties during the match.
Despite the victory, it wasn’t entirely smooth sailing for Real Madrid. Young defender Dean Huijsen faced scrutiny after conceding a penalty due to an ill-timed challenge, which Mikel Oyarzabal subsequently converted. Though there were opportunities for more goals, inconsistent finishing meant Los Blancos made the most of their openings. After the first half, creating chances became a challenge, but considering they played without Mbappé’s significant contributions, manager Alvaro Arbeloa has reason to remain optimistic.
The turnaround of Real Sociedad has been commendable under American manager Pellegrino Matarazzo. Currently on the cusp of reaching the Copa Del Rey final, suffering defeat at the Santiago Bernabeu isn’t a shameful outcome. While Real Madrid is trending positively, their focus must shift toward the upcoming Champions League clash. A loss to Benfica on the final matchday inadvertently placed them in this difficult position, meaning they can’t afford to let up and must push hard to secure advancement into the round of 16.
Having faced a surprising elimination from the Copa Del Rey against Albacete last month, catching Barcelona in LaLiga and clinching the Champions League represent their immediate objectives. A dominant win against Benfica on Tuesday would represent a significant stride as they strive to find equilibrium in their gameplay.
