As Real Madrid passed by Juventus in the Champions League on Wednesday evening they will look ahead to upcoming fixtures against Barcelona this Sunday at the Bernabéau and a visit to Anfield against Arne Slot’s Liverpool at the start of November. With this win Xabi Alonso’s men are one of five teams with a 100% win rate after three rounds of play.
Much of the first half seemed uncertain. Whilst Madrid were trying to pull the game towards them needling at Juventus to find the opening goal, the Old Lady seemed exactly as the Italians’ nickname implies, unmoving and seemingly happy to defend. Which is portrayed in Madrid’s nine corners in the first halve alone.
In the second halve the game took a higher tempo. Highlights include a breakaway from Dusan Vlahovic, where the Serbian international was unlucky to score; a double save by Juventus goalkeeper di Gregorio in the seventy-first minute and the game winner from Jude Bellingham who finished the rebound from a Vinicius Junior effort which was kept out at first by the Italian shot stopper. But what lessons can be learned from this midweek win?
Valverde at rightback
Federico Valverde captained Xabi Alonso’s side this midweek starting out of his favoured position starting at right back this Wednesday. In recent seasons the Uruguayan international has been deployed in a variety of positions at one point even starting a run of games on the right side of midfield for previous manager Carlo Ancelotti. But this midweek the Uruguayan was given the liberty to pull upwards down the line providing his team with width whilst Brahim Diaz worked the inside channel. In the statistics Valverde flew under the radar but his positioning in contrast to the right sided winger might give us a glimpse of what to expect from Trent Alexander-Arnold once he makes his return to the pitch.
Arda Güler pulling strings unable to unleash Mbappé
Jude Bellingham may have stolen the headlines by scoring the matchwinner. But Madrid’s creative spark was provided by Arda Güler. He attempted 71 passes with a completion rate of 96%. Functioning in the tight spaces of the Juventus defence linking and opening up play. The Turkish international was named man of the match for his efforts pulling the strings for Xabi Alonso’s side. But he was unable to sync with Kylian Mbappé. The Frenchmen was unable to find the back of the net even though he had some stellar chances. Madrid struggling to break down the Juventus defence might raise questions regarding their upcoming match against Barcelona this Sunday. However Barcelona are not to be expected to sit back like the Italians did Wednesday night. Barcelona have been burned before this season by their faith in playing with a high line. Most recently against Girona where the Blaugrana could have been 3-0 down before half time. This weekend’s Classico is looking up to be a promising event especially if Alonso’s Galacticos are able to beat Barca’s offside trap.
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