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Real Madrid have gone an unprecedented seven tournaments this season and won their first title on August 14, marking the beginning of the “Mbappe era”.
■ Centre-backs are the only concern
Real Madrid currently has 22 members. This summer, midfielder Kroos retired, captain Nacho left the team, French national team striker Mbappe and 18-year-old Brazilian national team striker Endric joined, and Spanish defender Vallejo returned on loan.
The centre-back position is the only area of concern due to the departure of Nacho and the delayed return of Alaba from a serious rupture of his anterior cruciate ligament last December, but the impression is that there is overall balance in other positions.
The offensive line in particular is often praised as the best in the world. In the player value rankings published by the German transfer information website Transfer Market, Mbappe, Vinicius, Bellingham and Manchester City striker Haaland tied for first place with a value of 180 million euros (about 28.8 billion yen). This can be said to be one of the evidences.
This season, with the formation reverting to the once successful 4-3-3, the right wing consisting of Rodrygo and Brahim Guler is the only player who is overbooked. However, all three players are capable of playing in multiple positions, so they should be able to play in some way.
Regarding Mbappe, who is worried about coexisting with Vinicius, Ancelotti said, “There is no problem, the important thing is the mobility of the striker,” and emphasized that the fluidity of the front line is the key to the offensive team’s effectiveness. I am doing it.
■First game of the season 2-0 Atlanta
After playing three pre-season games in the United States (against AC Milan, Barcelona and Chelsea), Real Madrid played their first official match of the season on August 14, winning the UEFA Europa League in Warsaw (Poland) against Atalanta.
With more than half of the main players having joined the team less than a week ago due to participating in the European Championship and the South American Championship, coach Ancelotti appointed Mbappe, who had just made his debut for Real Madrid, as the starting center forward. There was not much time left for preparation for the Americas Championship.
In the first half, they performed poorly due to Atalanta’s high-intensity game and had difficulty coordinating, but in the second half, their offense exploded. Bellingham created a chance, Vinicius broke through on the left wing, Valverde and Mbappe scored Real Madrid’s first goal, and Real Madrid won 2-0. So far, Real Madrid has won a record sixth victory in the history of the tournament, and coach Ancelotti has successfully crossed the first hurdle.
Although it is difficult to say that they are suitable after just playing the first game, the Spanish media have selected the new offensive center players as “BBC” (Bale, Benzema, Cristiano, etc.). They named the team “BMV” (Bellingham, Mbappe, Vinicius) after Ronaldo (Ronaldo) and have high hopes for them.
Some people worry that Mbappe’s joining will disturb the atmosphere in the team, but head coach Ancelotti said, “I don’t think there are princes or kings in the locker room.” He emphasized. No problem.
Mbappe scored the first goal in the first game. He said after the game: “We are Real Madrid. It doesn’t matter whether we score 50 goals in a year. We need to win.” The success of the team is the most important.
In addition, Bellingham’s position in this game has also become the focus of attention like Mbappe. He scored a lot of goals last season, but in the game against Atlanta, he played as a left inside back, while Kroos was excluded. His performance was similar to his state in Dortmund. After assisting Mbappe to score and winning the MVP, he said: “I don’t care where I play. Today I moved a little to the left, but football is fluid and it depends on the opponent. If I can contribute to the team, the team, where I play?” He didn’t seem to mind, saying, “I feel comfortable in this position.”
■ The new Club World Cup schedule is even more crowded
Real Madrid, which has ace representatives from various countries and an enviable lineup, will play seven matches they have never experienced before this season, starting with the European Super Cup, which they have already won. Before that, they will face as many as 72 official matches.
The reason is that the Club World Cup with 32 teams will be held in the United States at the end of the season. At the same time, the new Intercontinental Cup will be held in December (*Champions from six continents will participate. Real Madrid will be the super seed for the final).
Real Madrid’s previous record was 66 games in the 2000-01 season, which shows how extraordinary 72 games are. Moreover, there are 10 national team games, and the burden on the main players will be unimaginable. In other words, injuries and fatigue caused by the long 11-month season will be the main obstacle for Real Madrid to succeed again this season.
The players who were abused naturally did not remain silent. The day before the match against Atalanta, Carvajal complained: “It is impossible to play 72 games, including the Club World Cup and FIFA schedule. I agree with Carvajal’s point of view.”
How will coach Ancelotti lead a group of young stars into a new era and strive to win seven championships including the Spanish League, King’s Cup, Spanish Super Cup, UEFA Champions League, Intercontinental Cup, Club World Cup, La Liga Championship, etc. European Super Cup? All eyes will be on his ability to manage the team and solve this problem.
・22 Real Madrid players who will play in 7 games this season (Format: 4-3-3)
Goalkeepers: Courtois, Lunin
Right back: Carvajal, Lucas Vazquez
Right centre-back: Militao, Vallejo
Left centre-back: Rudiger, Alaba
Left-back: Mendy, Fran Garcia
Right half: Valverde, Modric
Announcers: Ciamene, Camavinga
Left inner half: Bellingham, Ceballos
Right wing: Rodrygo, Brahim Diaz, Guler
Center forward: Mbappe, Ndrickie
Left wing: Vinicius
[高桥智之](Nikkan Sports Net/Football Column “Football Travel from Spain”)
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