Real Madrid already had a tough enough job to come from behind of a 1-0 deficit from the first leg of the Champions League Round of 16 clashes against PSG with both Carlos Casemiro and Ferland Mendy suspended for the match. I had already picked up the players who would need to step up their game to cover for these two experienced pillars to the side.
If that wasn’t a job difficult enough, another Real Madrid veteran, Toni Kroos picked up a hamstring injury in training and now is a major doubt for the game against PSG. Here are the three players who’ll now have to work extra harder in covering for the seasoned campaigner.
3. CM Eduardo Camavinga
I was already onboard on Eduardo Camavinga getting a start in probably the most important match of the season so far since we’re confirmed about Casemiro missing the second leg. But, a few days into the confirmed suspension, a few other options stood out in playing that number 6 role. My colleague Sai here mentions some ways how Kroos could’ve been in that role alongside Luka Modric and one among Camavinga or Fede Valverde handling the creative duties.
But now that even Toni Kroos is a major doubt for the second leg, I think we can be sure about both Fede Valverde and Camavinga starting the game. Camavinga stands out as the most defensive-minded player among the three expected starters viz. Modric, Valverde and him. As such, I think we should expect to see Camavinga start slightly behind Luka Modric and Valverde in Real Madrid’s tried and tested 4-3-3 formation. I say so because I do not have any hope of experimentation from the Italian coach. He isn’t even rotating his squad as such a change in the system is too farfetched.
This means it’s a guaranteed start for the young Frenchman who bossed the likes of Marquinhos and Marco Veratti in a 2-1 home victory against the Parisians in the 2019/20 season in one of his career’s most memorable performances. Hopefully, he can repeat a similar performance as nothing short of his absolute best will do. He needs to step up big time and if he does end up making the difference here, he’d be counted among the best upcoming central midfielders, officially, if he isn’t yet. It is a very big opportunity knocking at the young man’s door, to say the least.
2. CM Luka Modric
As is always the case, Real Madrid will rely upon their midfield magician Luka Modric to make the difference in yet another decisive game. As is always the case, Modric will be expected to put in an extra shift and cover for his partner-in-crime, Toni Kroos. These two have often played without each other and almost always put in that extra effort to make the difference. We specifically remember Modric working hard towards the end of last season and the beginning of this one when Kroos was out with an elongated injury.
Luka Modric’s role would be vital against PSG. We saw in the first leg how the Parisian gave no chance at all to Real Madrid’s holy trinity in midfield to gain any sort of momentum on the ball. This time out, however, the Parisians will also be facing the wrath of 60,000 Bernabeu fans alongside 11 players on the field. Clubbing together the pace and energy that Camavinga and Valverde bring on the pitch, I think we can be hopeful of this game panning out differently.
Modric’s extra shifts would be more in the defense. As we all know, Camavinga is better as a No. 8 and while he gets the job done in the number 6 role as well, we cannot be too sure of the same against a demanding opposition like PSG. I think starting these three would be the best option for Carlo Ancelotti and I wouldn’t be too surprised if I see the roles between Modric and Camavinga transition mid-game.
Modric is a much more composed player on the ball who would be vital in supporting the backline. It is almost inevitable that Modric will have to drop back as the game goes on to channel the ball to his two advanced partners in midfield who can then look to create a pass or carry the ball forward with Camavinga and Valverde being the masters of the two traits respectively.
Modric should be the calming leader figure for the two young boys who’ll have the opportunity of a lifetime to carve their names in the history of what promises to be a modern-day saga of one of the most memorable European comebacks. We hope the master would be at his A-game to guide his two apprentices in a challenging mission.
1. CM Federico Valverde
Fede Valverde had just hit his best form of the season in February. He was an undeniable star in the midfield in terms of the improvements he had shown in the month. That is what we fans had been complaining about, giving the players their due minutes. Opportunities were scarce to come at Valverde but the moment he found some regular chances just look at the impact he created.
And as we talk about opportunities, here comes the big one. To start in place of Toni Kroos against PSG in the Champions League game where Los Blancos need to come back from behind. Things don’t get any more heated than this for a young player who has just hit his best form in the season and who has been struggling for minutes under a new manager.
Valverde lives for rivalry games and the relationship that PSG and Real Madrid have going on isn’t anything short of a rivalry. They have played a few times in the Champions League earlier with Real Madrid enjoying a better head-to-head record with three wins compared to PSG’s two, per UEFA’s website. Moreover, the off-pitch battle for Kylian Mbappe has forever been a distinguishing factor between the two clubs. If Valverde does end up creating the difference, it could be a big boost in his Real Madrid career.
Want your voice heard? Join the The Real Champs team!
There is no denying the fact that Valverde bleeds for the club and he’ll put in his hundred percent in season-defining games. He has the legs to run with the speedy Parisians and he is a much-underrated play-maker. We saw how the first leg at Paris was a game tailor-made for a player like him. Alas, he didn’t get his chance there, thanks to Carlo Ancelotti. But as they say, footballing gods will shine on those who deserve the light. Valverde’s biggest opportunity to date has come knocking at his door. All he needs to do is make the most out of it and be the difference-maker. Madridistas know what their young Uruguayan tank is capable of, it’s about time for the world to take note.