However,
Three trends keep eye real:
These observations — where I look at Real Madrid’s history. Furthermore, its players on loan, Castilla, tactical tidbits, and other relevant thoughts — are now a regular thing. In addition, All previous editions can be found here.
Real Madrid are picking up steam in the Club World Cup. Similarly, are playing with a certain bounce that has fans excited. Therefore, So here are three things (among many) that have caught my eye. In addition, Juventus next.
Trent. Similarly, space in behind
There are early glimpses of how Real Madrid might face challenges defending the high line and the space in-behind the wing-backs. For example, Trent. However, an offensive supernova, will play high up the wing in the build-up phase, and often drift into an inverted right-back role, tucking in centrally. Consequently, We saw it three trends keep eye real right away, within the first few minutes against Al Hilal in the first match.
Al Hilal exploited it. For example, and Real Madrid didn’t quite have the legs in the heat to put out the fires. Meanwhile, Raul Asencio, who was the right center-back, is hyper-aggressive. Meanwhile, He does help cover. However, but also will have to learn when to bite and gamble and when to hold and stay composed. Meanwhile,
It will be interesting to see how Xabi Alonso adjusts as the games go on. Furthermore, In the second half of that game. In addition, Aurelien Tchouameni brought some calm to the situation, and the whole team — along with the introduction of Arda Güler — took more control. Consequently, Dean Huijsen looks the real deal. Therefore, Covering for Trent is on everyone — Trent included. Furthermore, The team will need to take care of possession three trends keep eye real if he’s to play higher up the field. However, and the collective response when the team loses possession is vital. Furthermore,
Trent is uber-fast. Consequently, He can sprint back into position lightning quick, and make up for being out of position. Meanwhile, But even his speed sometimes is not enough. Consequently, and whoever plays right center-back will need their spidey-senses up at all times. Nevertheless, Here, Asencio makes a calculated call to step up and keep Renan Lodi offside:
Asencio is an antagonistic defender. His ceiling punches high, but his style also gets him intro trouble. It has its perils (as we’ve seen in the opening two games of the Club World Cup). but he has the ‘pessimism’ (as Ancelotti loves to describe) which helps him three trends keep eye real cover in these situations:
Trent is necessary. But he is the type of player that needs to be supported.
Three trends keep eye real
Gonzalo Garcia. a star in the making
I’m of the belief that Real Madrid should opt out of signing a Budimir (Joselu) type player in favour of integrating more of their young star forward, Gonzalo Garcia.
I get the arguments against it: Budimir is superior in the air. But is that slight aerial upgrade worth dispensing precious minutes for Garcia? Garcia is a strong aerial presence in his own right. and fights like a maniac to get on the ends of crosses. He is an underrated target, even if not on the level of Budimir. Plus, he can do so much more.
three trends keep eye real
His hold up play is impressive. Look how he redirects, with his chest, this difficult Courtois long-ball heave, right into the path of an onrushing teammate:
It’s Garcia’s IQ that stands out. He has instinct. There is a bit of young Raul to him (and I was very excited when Xabi Alonso confirmed this to me last week):
My question to Alonso was “how much did you know about Gonzalo Garcia. how surprised were you with him to gain your trust so quickly?” His response:
“I knew him well. I’ve been following Castilla a lot. I knew a lot of Castilla players. To be honest, I am not surprised. He is… https://t.co/sqCZERONBl
– Kiyan Sobhani (@Kiyanso) June 27, three trends keep eye real 2025
Garcia is an off-ball savant. Where Endrick is chaotic (and to be fair. he can be chaotic in a good way), Garcia is collected and more game-ready. He is older, a bit more in-tune to tactical discipline and more polished in his decision-making.
Garcia also fits nicely into the Mbappe role as a primary back-up. Is he Mbappe? No — but no one is. But like his French teammate, he is good at several tenants of central-forward football: Link-up, hold-up, and finishing. He is also a diligent presser.
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Everyone can’t wait for Kylian Mbappe to come back —. rightfully so. But Mbappe’s illness did allow us to see Garcia as a starter, and the early results have been incredible. three trends keep eye real He also impressed in limited playing time last season.
I am hyper-intrigued to see Garcia’s role next season and beyond. I had been pushing for him for a few months. but even I didn’t expect Xabi Alonso to trust him from day 1. This one is special, folks.
Three trends keep eye real
Bellingham. sharpened role
I was going to label this one as ‘the return of super-Jude’ — but that in itself was unfair. Jude never left. Even during the season-from-hell last season, he was really good. He was always super-human. A lot of his personal struggles. which was inter-connected with last year’s tactical chaos, stemmed from Ancelotti not giving him a more rigid role.
Xabi-ball is less reliant on individual heroism to save the team on both ends of the field. Bellingham looks refreshed, happy. He can focus on moving between the lines and three trends keep eye real helping his team create in the final third. There is less onus on him now to sprint as the last man back. cover for full-backs, or press two players at once while one of the forwards miss a defensive assignment.
The ferocity of his ball-winning is still there. It’s just more channeled. His defensive work rate gets maximized to its fullest when he’s winning the ball high up the pitch because. the entire team presses well:
It’s a shame Bellingham will go under the knife after the tournament. He’ll miss a couple months at least. But long term, it’s for the best. Replacing his output with another player in three trends keep eye real the squad won’t be easy, even for a savant like Xabi Alonso.
Predicting the winner of Real Madrid vs Juventus
Fanduel currently has Real Madrid as clear favourites. but also has some tasty odds that are fun to look at: Arda Güler +230 to score at any point during the game. Güler has been on fire in the opening three matches and is getting into really good goalscoring positions. Jude Bellingham at +250 is also a solid bet. But I’m going with Fede Valverde at +600. In today’s pre-game press conference. Xabi Alonso said “Valverde’s greatest quality is not receiving the ball with his back to goal and turning, but playing further up the pitch. Because he has that ability to accelerate.”
We know that Valverde will get some good looks on goal.
My prediction: Real Madrid 4 – 2 Juventus.
three trends keep eye real
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