Real Madrid are fresh off a 5-2 win over Celta Vigo at the Santiago Bernabeu. Their return to the vaunted stadium did not go as planned in the first half due to some defensive issues, but in the second half, Los Blancos ran rampant in front of goal. It was an example of the heights Real can achieve in the attack under returning manager Carlo Ancelotti. And left back Miguel Gutierrez was one of the standouts in an attacking sense, on a day in which Karim Benzema scored three and Vinicius Junior shined once more.
Miguel played well for Los Blancos at the end of the 2020-2021 season and carried that momentum two weeks ago in a clean sheet against Real Betis.
On Wednesday night, Real Madrid will face Inter Milan at the San Siro for the second time in two years, as they are in the same Champions League group once more. Ancelotti has three great options at left back in David Alaba, Ferland Mendy, and the young Miguel.
Here are three reasons why Miguel should be the one to start.
Real Madrid should not risk Ferland Mendy
Although Ferland Mendy was expected to be available against Celta Vigo, Carlo Ancelotti wisely did not think of using the Frenchman. In the first half, it seemed like he would need him, but Real Madrid’s attack proved to be too much, and the defense did buckle down after some adjustments and words of wisdom from the Italian manager.
Mendy is recovering from an injury that may be shin splints, a stress fracture, or something in between. Nevertheless, he’s been out since the last season, as he could not even compete in the Euros.
Safety first. That should be the policy with Mendy. Do not risk him, since his defending will be so important to this team. Madridistas have eyes on him as a future center back, after all.
Miguel Gutierrez has been playing well lately
Miguel Gutierrez had two key passes, two dribbles completed, and three fouls drawn against Real Betis before the international break, according to WhoScored.com. The left back then followed that up with even more attacking firepower over the most recent weekend in the 5-2 win over Celta Vigo.
He had one assist, four fouls drawn, and three dribbles completed against the Galician club. Those are fantastic attacking numbers for a fullback, and they show just how lively and creative Miguel is. Even though he is just 20 years old, he is never small for the moment. As we saw against Betis, he is more than willing to mix it in with the big boys and coax yellow cards from them. It could prove useful against the hard-nosed Inter Milan players at the San Siro.
Now, Miguel did have some hiccups in the first half defensively against Celta, though I would argue that he was let down big-time by Nacho Fernandez’s inexcusably rash decision-making next to him at center back.
The Castilla product should have done better against Celta on defense, but that may have been an anomaly. He was never exposed defensively last season, and he was strong against Betis with a whopping five tackles.
Miguel has shown to Ancelotti and the Madrid faithful that he is ready to play in a big Champions League match. If you can make it at the Bernabeu and bounce back after a tough first half, then you can certainly withstand even the San Siro.
Real Madrid could use Miguel’s attacking impetus
Inter Milan may not be quite as robust as they were under Antonio Conte, but outside of this weekend’s draw against Sampdoria, there has not been a clear drop-off under former Lazio manager Simone Inzaghi. After all, he is one of the most respected managers in Italian football for a reason.
The Nerazzurri have very strong defenders and defensive midfielders, and their wide men are willing and able runners. Having Miguel to supply crosses, stretch the pitch, and cover both ways will be important against Inter.
Real Madrid cannot risk Ferland Mendy. And they need David Alaba in the XI. While Alaba could play at left back, it makes more sense to start him on the left side of the defense over Nacho, where he makes better decisions and has more passing range than the Spaniard.
Miguel and Alaba would be a forward-thinking partnership in defense on that left side against an Inter team that will try to make things ugly in their own house. Real Madrid could use Miguel’s crossing accuracy and brilliance at finding runners into the box, particularly superstar striker Karim Benzema. All it takes is one or two accurate crosses from Miguel to Karim, and Los Blancos will have the three points they need against the defending champions of Serie A.