Real Madrid: 3 major concerns that need to be addressed heading into the new season
Real Madrid must cope with the high press
Real Madrid has lost to Manchester City and Ajax consecutively in the Champions League round of 16 — both were high-pressing teams.
A lack of runners in the lineup has been a major reason contributing to the number of goals scored upfront. Real Madrid need to dominate possession to create and win games.
This lack of runners, combined with Real failing to progress the ball under pressure in Phase II has led to them to pay for their mistakes in the Champions League.
When you’re playing against a high pressing team, without the availability of outlets, progressing the ball without creating turnovers is very hard. A high pressing/counter-pressing side will always have a high defensive line. To take advantage of this, you will require or need runners in behind.
Runners don’t mean a forward who covers more yards or sprints the fastest, but players who will make runs in behind the opposition defensive line. Runners are players who exploit the space on the pitch. Vinicius and Asensio look like the only notable runners in the squad at the moment.
They have failed to exert their power on the game against high-pressing teams (Ajax, Manchester City, Getafe, Athletic Bilbao…), without the ball and this is something the manager will have to think about for the near future.