Real Madrid 2014-2015

[LeChuck]

This team are something else at the moment, and I think Ancelotti has done a superb job.

I remember a few years ago when it was Jose v Pep, and the narrative was who would be the first coach to get to 3 CLs. Well, it turned out to be neither, and instead we have Ancelotti out in front. He's taken an infighting, underperforming Real team, and found the perfect balance. I think some credit has to go to Jose too, who instilled a lot of confidence in that team and found a way to beat Barca (I think they played them 4 times in his last season and lost none). Anyway, as I said, he's found a perfect balance, and not only do they dominate the ball, but they are very exciting to watch.

He's found a way to outplay Barca, rather than having to be overly physical, and has accommodated Benzema, Bale, Rodriguez, Kroos, Modric, Isco and our boy Ronnie. That is an unbelievable array of talent, as well as losing 'central' players such as AdM and Ozil.

Ronaldo is on fire, Bale is picking up form, and that midfield of Kroos and Modric is so fluid and complementary.

20 wins on the spin, where do you think their next draw/loss will come? The only way I see them not winning a game is if they get a difficult-ish draw in the CL and draw a game, but otherwise I don't see them dropping points in La Liga (maybe away to Atleti?)

I think it's a great time to be a Real fan as they are onto something special. Might even be the first team to retain the CL.

 

[Bob Loblaw]

There's not a chance they win every single game in La Liga until the end of the season. The rest of your post is fair but that's taking it way overboard.

Don't think Bale is looking like picking up form either actually. Goalscoring form yep, but his performances have still been poor as a whole and if it was up to me he'd be benched once James returns.

 

[Devil may care]

Along with Bayern they look the best side in Europe right now, and it's interesting to see an Ancelotti side without a #6.

 

[WR10]

They're incredible to watch. Every single player looks so comfortable on the ball and they all seem so perfectly conditioned as well. You can really see the difference in athleticism/conditioning/sharpness in the Real players when you flip between matches on CL match days. On top of their individual brilliances, Ancelotti has molded them into a scary wolf pack, and they all know their roles perfectly. They don't have to shift out of 2nd gear playing teams, it's too easy for them. They're really in 'harmony' on the pitch, and the last time I could describe a team with that was with the Barca team of 09-12. Really looking forward to their CL match with Bayern this season. It will be a shame if that game comes anytime before the final, but I doubt the final will be anything else.

 

[Archie Leach]

Ancelottis got the personnel performing as they should, they could do some serious damage the next few seasons, as they should be with their budget.

 

[Borys]

Is there any better Right Back than Carvajal currently?

 

[golden_blunder]

They are playing to their strengths, get the ball to Ronaldo..goal

 

[amolbhatia50k]

They are playing to their strengths, get the ball to Ronaldo..goal

That's rubbish. You make them sound like a one man team who creates goal out of nothing every game. He's more likely finishing off chances created by what is already a great side. It's more like play brilliant football, create loads of chances, and top goalscorers like Ronaldo aided by Bale and co will score plenty.

 

[amolbhatia50k]

It's also slightly insulting of the job Ancelotti has done. He's been absolutely brilliant. If Mourinho or Pep, want a proper contest they should take Ancelotti with Real on because he's really hit the sweet spot with this team right now. It's all fitting together superbly.

 

[golden_blunder]

Lol they are a well oiled machine but it's naive to think that they aren't playing to their biggest strength...Ronaldo, the best goalscorer in the world

 

[ThierryHenry]

I'd love to see them get Chelsea in the CL this season.

 

[Vato]

Is there any better Right Back than Carvajal currently?

I don't think so, he's a very complete RB. An absolute joke that JuanFran got selected for Spain at the WC and he didn't.

 

[PedroMendez]

All their players work against the ball. That’s really impressive. Its good to see players like Isco, Hames or Bale putting in a shift every game. There are so many lazy offensive players out there and I often hear, that some players don’t need to work against the ball, but Real proves that this is nonsense. Everybody can do it and it just depends on the mindset. It makes them so exciting to watch, combined with their offensive power.
They are a fantastic team but I still think that their defensive organization isn’t really there yet. They try to make up for it with additional effort, but they need a lot of 1v1/last men tackles to stop their opposition. It will be interesting to see if other top teams can exploit that in the CL.

 

[kouroux]

All their players work against the ball. That’s really impressive. Its good to see players like Isco, Hames or Bale putting in a shift every game. There are so many lazy offensive players out there and I often hear, that some players don’t need to work against the ball, but Real proves that this is nonsense. Everybody can do it and it just depends on the mindset. It makes them so exciting to watch, combined with their offensive power.
They are a fantastic team but I still think that their defensive organization isn’t really there yet. They try to make up for it with additional effort, but they need a lot of 1v1/last men tackles to stop their opposition. It will be interesting to see if other top teams can exploit that in the CL.

Absolutely spot on, with the right coaching and motivation, any "flair" player can defend and help out his teammates a lot.

 

[Varun]

I'd love to see them get Chelsea in the CL this season.

Yep, it'd be a great contest.

 

[Infra-red]

They are a very complete side, and rather like Bayern 2012-13, they seem to be able to switch at will between a possession-based style, and lethal counterattacking. They'll always find a way to destroy you. The only weakness is the goalkeeper.

 

[Jaytay]

They do look good but they need to back it up with a few La Liga trophies.

 

[Raees]

Is there any better Right Back than Carvajal currently?

Nice to see him get some recognition. So underrated.

 

[Borys]

I don't think so, he's a very complete RB. An absolute joke that JuanFran got selected for Spain at the WC and he didn't.

Nice to see him get some recognition. So underrated.

I'm not watching as many games as I would like to recently (especially others than United and Real Madrid), but everytime I've seen Carvajal he has impressed me. Probably the best example of "modern" fullback- excellent in defense and useful going forward (much more than crossing). He's the player I wanted Rafael to become. Madrid are very lucky to have him and Varane.

 

[Vato]

I'm not watching as many games as I would like to recently (especially others than United and Real Madrid), but everytime I've seen Carvajal he has impressed me. Probably the best example of "modern" fullback- excellent in defense and useful going forward (much more than crossing). He's the player I wanted Rafael to become. Madrid are very lucky to have him and Varane.

With him at RB and Marcelo at LB with Coentrao as backup for him, we are really being spoilt at the moment. Can't think of many better fullbacks in world football.

 

[ctp]

With him at RB and Marcelo at LB with Coentrao as backup for him, we are really being spoilt at the moment. Can't think of many better fullbacks in world football.

Bayern and Chelsea are up there, I don't think anyone else comes close.

 

[zing]

Going to be the first team to retian the champions league, imo.

 

[B20]

Going to be the first team to retian the champions league, imo.

That has been said many times. It's common for winning teams to carry their imperious form into the autumn season, only to lose a bit of steam by the time spring comes around.

 

[The Mitcher]

Why is it I always read Real Madrid as @Raul Madrid these days?

 

[Raul Madrid]

That has been said many times. It's common for winning teams to carry their imperious form into the autumn season, only to lose a bit of steam by the time spring comes around.

I agree. People always said the same about Barca and Bayern too. The people who are saying that Madrid are brilliant and will retain the CL now are the same ones that will be saying that Madrid and Ancelotti are overrated if they lose in the semi finals just like they did with Bayern and Guardiola last season and Barcelona in 2010. Madrid are showing great form in the league right now, however the CL is a different type of challenge and test and asks different questions of teams to league campaigns and whether Madrid have the answers to such questions (ie can Madrid beat Bayern or Dortmund over two legs etc) is yet to be seen as such a challenge has not being presented to Madrid yet (nor has it being presented to a lot of the other favourites for the CL yet either as Barca, Bayern, Chelsea, Dortmund and Atletico also have a lot to prove in the knockouts also, just like Madrid do).

The closest tests that Madrid have faced so far this season once their great run began that were in someway similar to the challenges that the CL knockouts will have to offer is the game vs Barca in the league and the away game at Anfield (which was relatively difficult) and they came out of those games quite well so hopefully that will set them in good stead for the rest of the season and the tough CL fixtures coming up.

 

[Amar__]

I envy them on how fit their players always are, I think they are easily the best club in the world regarding injuries, they rarely have any problems with injuries. For all the money they've spent, they don't even have that much depth, but they don't care as long as they can keep playing their best 8, 9 or 10 players every week, so no wonder their players have excellent understanding on the pitch.

 

[Snake Plissken]

They're absolutely dynamite going forward. Still think teams play them all wrong, but either way you probably wouldn't stop them. Too much fire power and too many players bang on form.

 

[Bob Loblaw]

I envy them on how fit their players always are, I think they are easily the best club in the world regarding injuries, they rarely have any problems with injuries. For all the money they've spent, they don't even have that much depth, but they don't care as long as they can keep playing their best 8, 9 or 10 players every week, so no wonder their players have excellent understanding on the pitch.

They've had Bale, Khedira, James, Modrić, Ramos, Jesé all out injured for varying amounts of time this season, plus a few others. Maybe not as much as some other sides but I think they just have an immense squad that can handle injuries with no problem, which makes them look less injury prone.

 

[Raul Madrid]

They're absolutely dynamite going forward. Still think teams play them all wrong, but either way you probably wouldn't stop them. Too much fire power and too many players bang on form.

With Isco, Kroos, Modric, James, Benzema etc Madrid are pretty comfortable in possession and there have been teams that did not give them so much space like Villareal away among other teams and Madrid have done pretty well in those games too. Its obvious though that they are much more comfortable on the break and that they welcome open games with teams and one of the reasons that teams play against Madrid in that manner (and this is a tactic that has been used by many counter-attacking teams) is because Madrid give the opposition the ball and let them play with it in midfield because it gives the opposition the false belief that they can outplay and dominate Madrid and that they are there for the taking and are vulnerable and the opposition then begin to go for the game and play in an open manner before being sucker punched by Madrid on the break.

 

[Amar__]

They've had Bale, Khedira, James, Modrić, Ramos, Jesé all out injured for varying amounts of time this season, plus a few others. Maybe not as much as some other sides but I think they just have an immense squad that can handle injuries with no problem, which makes them look less injury prone.

That's really nothing in comparision with some other teams like Bayern, United, Dortmund, Arsenal, etc. Khedira and Jese aren't their first choice anyway, so Modric is the only one who they really missed. Compare that with just United's backline(we'll ignore other players), or with just Bayern's central midfield and they are still much better.
As I said, I don't think they have much depth in their squad at all, they have excellent first XI, and just 3 or 4 good players on the bench, that's all.

 

[Bob Loblaw]

That's really nothing in comparision with some other teams like Bayern, United, Dortmund, Arsenal, etc. Khedira and Jese aren't their first choice anyway, so Modric is the only one who they really missed. Compare that with just United's backline(we'll ignore other players), or with just Bayern's central midfield and they are still much better.
As I said, I don't think they have much depth in their squad at all, they have excellent first XI, and just 3 or 4 good players on the bench, that's all.

True about it not being as bad as other team's injury problem but I think their squad depth is fantastic. Outside of their usual first 11 they have Keylor Navas, Arbeloa, Nacho, Varane, Coentrăo, Ilarra, Khedira, Isco, Jesé, Chicharito. That looks fantastic to me, only Bayern have better squad depth I reckon.

 

[Snake Plissken]

With Isco, Kroos, Modric, James, Benzema etc Madrid are pretty comfortable in possession and there have been teams that did not give them so much space like Villareal away among other teams and Madrid have done pretty well in those games too. Its obvious though that they are much more comfortable on the break and that they welcome open games with teams and one of the reasons that teams play against Madrid in that manner (and this is a tactic that has been used by many counter-attacking teams) is because Madrid give the opposition the ball and let them play with it in midfield because it gives the opposition the false belief that they can outplay and dominate Madrid and that they are there for the taking and are vulnerable and the opposition then begin to go for the game and play in an open manner before being sucker punched by Madrid on the break.

I think teams still feel they can have a go at your defence. However for me it's suicide because when these teams push to many players up the park you guys slice them open on the break.

 

[jojojo]

Spoiler: The Madrid squad

It's a high quality but small squad, only 19 outfield players. Jese's only just starting to play. Khedira's been more or less injured all season. It's rumoured that Ancelotti thinks he's a player short (a consequence of Alonso leaving late in the window). The target, maybe even for January, is supposed to be Lucas Silva, though he's perhaps not Ancelotti's first choice.

In terms of how they're playing, well it's weird isn't it. They've got so many number 10s and they don't play with a 10. Somehow Ancelotti is turning them all into "proper" midfielders. You can't help but suspect that it could all go wrong against the right team (lets call them Bayern Munich), but they're certainly going to be the team to watch going into next year.

It's what happens to them when they do lose that will be interesting. Will it drive them harder or will it make them fall apart. It could be Ancelotti's finest hour.

 

[cesc's_mullet]

I really wonder how a midfield of Kroos, Modric and James can perform defensively against the very best (Barca and Bayern being the other best)... How have they performed this season when pressure has been put on them?

 

[Jaytay]

I really wonder how a midfield of Kroos, Modric and James can perform defensively against the very best (Barca and Bayern being the other best)... How have they performed this season when pressure has been put on them?

They beat Barcelona 3-1

 

[Bwuk]

I really wonder how a midfield of Kroos, Modric and James can perform defensively against the very best (Barca and Bayern being the other best)... How have they performed this season when pressure has been put on them?

Who is good enough to put them under pressure? Bayern would just try to dominate possession and be caught swiftly on the counter.

 

[Amar__]

True about it not being as bad as other team's injury problem but I think their squad depth is fantastic. Outside of their usual first 11 they have Keylor Navas, Arbeloa, Nacho, Varane, Coentrăo, Ilarra, Khedira, Isco, Jesé, Chicharito. That looks fantastic to me, only Bayern have better squad depth I reckon.

@jojojo explained it for me but I will explain it myself.
I would argue that Chelsea and City have much better squad depth than them. Probably even United, I mean, we have Falcao and Mata quite often together on the bench. Of course, we don't have good first XI as they do, but numbers wise, they really aren't that good.

They only have one, albeit very good defender - Varane, to replace Pepe and Ramos, because I am not sure Natcho is even quality enough to be backup if Ramos and Pepe end up injured both. They are covered well on fullback positions, but they are very weak in the midfield when they are missing one or two first choice players. How do you think they would line up if they would be missing both Modric and Kroos? They are already missing Modric for another month or two and I read that Kroos was saying he already feels tired because of the lack of rest due the world cup and playing so many games since arriving to Madrid. They simply don't have good backup for Kroos, Illaramendi doesn't look like someone they trust. Both Isco and James are attacking midfielders who aren't yet tested in big games in central midfield(apart from the game against Barca).
Their backup striker is player on loan who was fourth or fifth choice at United lately. They are lucky with Benzema being injury free lately, because they are much weaker team without him, Ronaldo isn't really great on striker position, and other choices would make them much much weaker side. Difference between Chicharito or Jese(who I think is best suited on the left) and Benzema is enormous.

 

[Bob Loblaw]

@jojojo explained it for me but I will explain it myself.
I would argue that Chelsea and City have much better squad depth than them. Probably even United, I mean, we have Falcao and Mata quite often together on the bench. Of course, we don't have good first XI as they do, but numbers wise, they really aren't that good.

They only have one, albeit very good defender - Varane, to replace Pepe and Ramos, because I am not sure Natcho is even quality enough to be backup if Ramos and Pepe end up injured both. They are covered well on fullback positions, but they are very weak in the midfield when they are missing one or two first choice players. How do you think they would line up if they would be missing both Modric and Kroos? They are already missing Modric for another month or two and I read that Kroos was saying he already feels tired because of the lack of rest due the world cup and playing so many games since arriving to Madrid. They simply don't have good backup for Kroos, Illaramendi doesn't look like someone they trust. Both Isco and James are attacking midfielders who aren't yet tested in big games in central midfield(apart from the game against Barca).
Their backup striker is player on loan who was fourth or fifth choice at United lately. They are lucky with Benzema being injury free lately, because they are much weaker team without him, Ronaldo isn't really great on striker position, and other choices would make them much much weaker side. Difference between Chicharito or Jese(who I think is best suited on the left) and Benzema is enormous.

I think they're solely lacking one player in the middle of midfield, so I do agree with you that they'd be in trouble if both Kroos and Modrić are injured. Aside from that I don't think they lack anything in their squad, but I've never been a big believer in needing a 25 man squad so that's maybe why I disagree. As long as you have a few good youth players (I haven't seen enough of people like Medrán to know if he counts) then you don't need a huge squad in my view. Ramos, Varane, Pepe and Nacho is strong enough I think, 3 top defenders plus 1 lesser talented versatile alternative is a nice balance. If you think otherwise then how is Chelsea's Terry, Cahill and Zouma any better? In midfield they have the same problem as Real Madrid, if Matić and Cesc are out who plays, Mikel and Ramires? No way Chelsea have better depth.

 

[Amar__]

but I've never been a big believer in needing a 25 man squad so that's maybe why I disagree.

I am, so we found out why we disagree.

If you think otherwise then how is Chelsea's Terry, Cahill and Zouma any better? In midfield they have the same problem as Real Madrid, if Matić and Cesc are out who plays, Mikel and Ramires? No way Chelsea have better depth.

That's good argument, maybe I am overrating Chelsea's squad then? Actually, I know they are thin in the defence too, but I completely forgot about that. As for the midfield, I don't really agree, because both Mikel and Ramires played big part in their squads over the years, they are not bad options, plus you also have Oscar who can play cm poisition next to someone like Mikel.

 

[Bob Loblaw]

I am, so we found out why we disagree.



That's good argument, maybe I am overrating Chelsea's squad then? Actually, I know they are thin in the defence too, but I completely forgot about that. As for the midfield, I don't really agree, because both Mikel and Ramires played big part in their squads over the years, they are not bad options, plus you also have Oscar who can play cm poisition next to someone like Mikel.

They have played a big part, yeah, but so has Sami Khedira who can fill in for one of Modrić/Kroos if needed (and if he's fit, which is rare) alongside Illarra and/or Isco. It's not ideal, especially against the bigger sides, but it'd probably work for a while.