The wait is over, Real Madrid returned to action with their opening pre-season game against Rangers. Whilst Los Blancos ultimately would come up short in their opening fixture, there were certainly some points of discussion throughout the game. Here are our three takeaways from Real’s return.
It’s more of the same from Luka Jovic:
As a new season looms, one of the biggest narratives that has been discussed is the return of Luka Jovic. The Serbian international has had a disappointing start to life at Real, featuring very sparingly in his debut season, before being sent out on loan midway through 20/21.
The Jovic who put away 27 goals for Eintracht Frankfurt a few seasons ago, seems to be something of a distant memory. Even on his return to Germany, he sparkled at times but largely failed to impress, finding himself second to the main talisman in Andre Silva.
Many fans were critical of Jovic often lacking movement off the ball and isolating himself during his first season at the club. Whilst nobody is expecting Benzema levels of movement, throughout the clash against Rangers, it seemed to be much of the same from Luka.
He did not drop in to help out with the build-up, nor did he make any moves in behind. It may still only be the opening game of preseason, but if Jovic continues to showcase that he is not able to address those issues in his game, he may just find himself out of favour with Ancelotti as an option.
For Jovic, this is truly make-or-break time for his Real Madrid career. Should he fail to make an adequate impression and not justify the significant price-tag he had, he may just find himself in the market looking for a new suitor.
Martin Ødegaard shines in his return to Real Madrid:
Ødegaard has an abundance of fans who want him to succeed at Real, and with good reason. It is no secret that the Norway international has a high ceiling, being capable of becoming one of the very best in his position. Although, Martin has had a hard time showcasing that since returning to the Spanish capital.
In the game against Rangers, Ødegaard was certainly one of the standouts through his time on the field. Alongside being a driving force to create Rodrygo’s goal, his pressing and consistent passing was one of the few bright spots for Real.
There was some rumbling that Zidane had actually been upset, at Ødegaard’s somewhat lax attitude with pressing at times. However, it seems he has improved that facet of his game, being one of the better pressing players during the game against Rangers.
Alongside that, his direct runs and passing were joyous to watch at times, a large contributor in the aforementioned Rodrygo goal. Should Martin bring out the form seen at La Real, then Los Blancos could finally see the breakout season, that they have been waiting for from Ødegaard.
Marcelo vs Miguel should not be a debate:
Marcelo is a legend, an undoubted Real Madrid icon, that will go down in history. However, that alone is not enough to merit his place within the team anymore. Whilst he may be the captain, he does not perform well enough to be a regular starter for the current team. His offensive abilities no longer mask his defensive fragilities, which have only gotten worse in recent times.
Throughout the match against Rangers, there were moments were Marcelo had lapses, there were moments he was off the pace going forwards and back. While you can attribute some of that to a lack of sharpness, we ultimately know Marcelo is not much better at his best than what we saw this evening.
Ferland Mendy is the clear and undisputed starter for Real, but the man to deputise for him should be Miguel and it should not be a debate. Within moments of coming on, Miguel had already made an impact, his driving runs much more superior to Marcelo, his overall energy a step above.
The Castilla graduate was inches away from scoring too, he simply brings more to the table than Marcelo at this time. Whilst nobody is forgetting the immense contribution of the Brazilian, there comes a time where the club must be realistic and realise the present and future is Miguel.