Real Madrid: Three keys to victory against Liverpool
Stay calm and focused defensively
The defence should maintain their focus for the entirety of the game. People often say that “Attack wins you games, and defence wins you titles.” Real Madrid won their 34th LaLiga title in the 2019/20 season by relying on the same principle. But in this season, they had to struggle defensively and survive most of this season without their best centre-back and captain, Sergio Ramos.
Nacho has stepped up superbly in the absence of El Capitan Ramos and did his best to cover for him, with the team having a history of choking defensively in the absence of their captain. The defence has done well collectively, and even Lucas Vazquez did well so far to cover for Carvajal, but the team has found it difficult to maintain focus for the 90 minutes and have conceded a lot of goals due to individual mistakes.
Reckless giveaways, miscalculated and risky passes from the back, not tracking runners, and giving away silly penalties have often led to the downfall of Real Madrid. But they have done well to minimise those mistakes in recent times and be solid defensively. On Wednesday they’ll face another big challenge, with the team having to face Salah, Mane, Jota, and Firmino. They did well to silence them in the first leg, but this time they’ll face a highly determined attack.
One matter of concern for the Real Madrid defence is the right-back position. Lucas Vazquez has performed brilliantly in the absence of Dani Carvajal for most of the season, but now he is out for the rest of the season with an injury he suffered as a result of a clash with Sergio Busquets. Alvaro Odriozola is a natural replacement, but his defensive performances have always been a matter of concern.
It is to be seen if Zidane chooses to take the risk and play a four-man defence, or use a 3-5-2 with Marcelo and Odriozola/Valverde as the wingbacks. Whatever might be the formation, it is important for the defence to be focused throughout the match, and work as a unit as they did in the past two games.
Liverpool has talented wingers and fullbacks, and they will look forward to being a constant threat from the flanks. Hence there will be a need for wingers to support their fullbacks in defence, and try their best to stop those incoming crosses. They dealt them well in the first leg, but there was a sense of danger with every cross into the box.
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They should look to avoid conceding an early goal which will increase the pressure on the team. History says that Real Madrid has found it difficult in the second legs of the knockout stages in recent years, whenever they’re going into the game with a lead. The absence of Ramos further increases the tension in this game which can be a game of nerves. But with a calm head and teamwork, things will be made easier for Real Madrid.