Real Madrid vs. Sevilla: 3 keys to victory on La Liga’s Matchday 35
Real Madrid cannot be passive in the attack
The biggest problem Real Madrid have this season is scoring goals, and that’s why Madridistas are practically begging for Kylian Mbappe this summer, even if they know how incredibly difficult it is to make such a blockbuster signing.
But aside from the lack of goals from the wings, Real also have an issue when it comes to how they play. As we saw against Chelsea, there are too many matches where Real Madrid are passive in the attack. They pass the ball around, nobody makes runs, and wingers like Eden Hazard and Marco Asensio almost seem to shy away from the ball instead of wanting to take players on. Aside from Vinicius Junior and the occasions when Rodrygo Goes plays on the left side, Real don’t have players who take on enough of the initiative on the wings.
Toni Kroos and Luka Modric are at the heart of everything good about Real Madrid, and they will need to have great games against a tough, experienced Sevilla midfield that can control the pitch with the likes of the underrated Joan Jordan.
But you expect those two to be great. What they need is some help. Zinedine Zidane needs to get his team to be more aggressive on the ball and more energetic with their runs off it, because if they are passive against Sevilla, they won’t score. Sevilla are like any other organized, tough La Liga side with their defending. Except they are even better with players like Bono, Jules Kounde, and Diego Carlos on defense. Real Madrid must force the issue or watch another title slip away.