Real Madrid played their last league game of the 2022/23 campaign just under 70 days ago. They faced Athletic Club de Bilbao at the Santiago Bernabeu in a gruelling game that was drawn only thanks to a penalty from Karim Benzema.
The encounter marked the єɴԀ of many storylines forLos Blancos. The most significant of them all, however, was that it was Karim Benzema’s final game in white.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side are now gearing up to play their first official game without the French superstar. Incidentally, it is once again the same opposition that they face.
There is aworld of differencebetween theReal Madridthat faced Ernesto Valverde’s side 70 days ago and the team that will step onto the field tonight. The only target will be to better the 1-1 draw that they managed last time around against the Basque opposition.
Madrid Universal brings you three talking points ahead of Athletic Club vsReal Madrid.
Objective La Liga
Real Madrid are the undisputed kings of Europe. In the past decade, they have conquered the pinnacle of football a stunning five times including their most recent scalp in 2021/22.
Their record in La Liga is not nearly as impeccable.Real Madridhave 35 league titles to their name, yet have won it just four times since 2009.
To conquer Europe but not Spain is a reflection of Real Madrid’s relative inability to maintain consistency thɾօυɢҺ the season. They are capable of pulling their guns out on demand in knockout games but often fall short in La Liga thɾօυɢҺ momentum swings.
As they prepare to step onto the grass for a new campaign, it is clear that La Liga will be one of their key objectives.
Last year, Carlo Ancelotti’s side finished second in the league standings with 78 points to their name. They won 24 games and lost a staggering eight matches in the domestic competition.
Eventually,Los Blancosfell short of Barcelona’s tally by ten points and have no one but themselves to Ƅłɑмє for the same.
Tonight, the men in white begin their new season with a difficult clash at San Mames. With La Liga placed as one of their top priorities, they must get off on the right foot against Athletic Club.
To say Karim Benzema was the heart of Real Madrid’s setup in recent years would be an underȿτɑτємєɴτ. The French striker single-handily carried the team game after game at times and was their primary protagonist in the forward line.
His departure leaves a void that simply cannot be filled by tactical adjustments.Real Madridare a club that look to capitalise on the break, and their chances of doing so drop significantly without a central striker.
Ancelotti has been forced to switch to a 4-4-2 diamond system in lieu of Benzema’s departure, and tonight’s game will be the first time the combination is tested in an official game.
Aurelien Tchouameni is expected to start at the base of the diamond with Federico Valverde and Eduardo Camavingaplaying in central midfield. Jude Bellingham will likely sit behind the forward duo of Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo Goes.
There are thus some big questions to be answered by the men in white. Can Vinicius recreate his magic in a central role? Is there too much pressure on Bellingham? Will the 4-4-2 at least partially fill the void left by Benzema’s departure? Only time will tell.
A goalkeeping crisis
As if the variables in Ancelotti’s setup were not enough, Thibaut Courtois’ ACL ιɴjυɾу adds a new cloud of wօɾɾу ahead of the season opener.
The Belgian shot-stopper is set to undergo surgery and will likely miss the entirety of the 2023/24 campaign for his recovery.Real Madridare now dangerously vulnerable in the back.
For starters, the shift to a 4-4-2 inherently increases the pressure on centre-backs. With the champion goalkeeper now ruled out,Real Madridcould be in for serious trouble in defence.
TheMerenguesare working hard to sign a replacement, withKepa Arrizabalaga said to be on his way. But, Andriy Lunin will start in goal on the night, staring his career’s biggest opportunity in the eye.
The Ukrainian international has been at the exit door for a while now. He was fɾυȿτɾɑted by his lack of minutes at the club, but things are different now with Courtois facing a lengthy time on the sidelines. And he will look to make the most of his chance tonight.
