Real Madrid: The curious case of Sergio Reguilón
By Ryan Plant
In a disappointing 4-1 aggregate defeat to FC Barcelona in the Copa del Rey semifinal, Santiago Solari’s Real Madrid was made to rue missed chances. Vinícius Júnior, Karim Benzema, and Lucas Vázquez each missed good opportunities in the second leg, leaving the team’s young left-back, Sergio Reguilón, as one of the few members players in white to leave the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium with any credit.
Even in what has been a period of change at Real Madrid, few expected the 22-year-old to cement a starting berth on the left side of the defense ahead of Marcelo.
Indeed, he has progressed from Real Madrid’s Castilla team, like his manager, to good effect, and shackled the obvious talent of Ousmane Dembélé on Ernesto Valverde’s side’s right.
For most of Julen Lopetegui’s managerial reign, Reguilón remained out of the squad. He made his senior debut in the UEFA Champions League away to CSKA Moscow in October, and made his first La Liga start against Real Valladolid a month later in Solari’s second game as manager.
It was a just reward for the Madrid-born defender, who joined the club’s academy setup in 2005, at just eight-years-old. He has since made 17 appearances in all competitions, and featured in all but one of the last eight rounds of La Liga.
Despite enjoying two loans at Segunda División B side UD Logroñés, he remains uncapped at the youth or senior level for Spain’s national team. There had been little fanfare heading into this season about his potential in the capital, either. He was awarded a new contract in May of last year, but it went largely unnoticed.
It is amazing that a player of such objective quality at a young age, who excelled for Castilla and out on loan, has remained largely anonymous until this season, even with Marcelo on the decline.
The Brazilian fullback has been an excellent servant to the club, but he has struggled this season. In 2017/2018 compared to 2018/2019 so far, per 90 minutes, he made more tackles last season, with 1.9 compared to 1.4, and more clearances, completing 0.5 to the 0.4 he has this campaign.
What’s more, he has been a lesser force going forward. This season, he has failed to make an assist in the league, despite registering four by this point last campaign.
Reguilón has impressed on the left, and has matched Marcelo’s form during Zinedine Zidane’s last season in charge. This season, the Spaniard has made an average of 1.5 interceptions per game, 0.7 more than Marcelo last season, has made 1.9 clearances this year compared to Marcelo’s 0.4 and has been better in the air, winning 0.9 of his aerial duels per game compared to just 0.2 from Marcelo.
Evidently, Real has struggled this season, and it could be argued that Reguilón’s defensive statistics look favorable because Solari’s side has been pegged back more than Zidane’s Critiano Ronaldo-inspired squad.
However, Reguilón has also been effective when going forward. His pass success rate (86.6) is higher than Marcelo’s last season (84.6), although the Brazilian does have him beaten with 1.1 successful crosses compared to 0.4 and more dribbles completed per 90 minutes.
Statisitics do not tell the whole story, though. In the recent 2-1 defeat against Girona, Marcelo was at fault as Portu regularly got in behind him, including for the winning goal. Reguilón, even against Atlético Madrid, Barcelona, and Sevilla, has had no such troubles in a series of solid displays.
Next. Real Madrid exit Copa Del Rey after collapse vs Barcelona. dark
It remains to be seen whether the youngster is as good as Marcelo at spinning a ball on his finger whilst sat on the substitutes’ bench, though.
It is easy to forget that Reguilón turned 22 only two months ago. Given time and regular minutes, he could develop into Marcelo’s heir on the left side of the defence, and form a bountiful partnership with Vinícius Júnior for years to come.
The defeat to Barcelona is tough to take, but the Los Blancos’ faithful should draw on the positives. Make no mistake: Reguilón, after years of anonymity in Castilla’s ranks, has the potential to be a mainstay in Real Madrid’s side for years to come.