The Real Champs
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5 bold predictions for Real Madrid vs. Chelsea in the Champions League quarterfinal

By Tushar Mahajan

Champions League (Photo by OZAN KOSE/AFP via Getty Images)
Champions League (Photo by OZAN KOSE/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Real Madrid, Dani Carvajal
Real Madrid, Dani Carvajal (Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images) /

4. Real Madrid realize the need for a new right-back

Dani Carvajal has been a true Madridista since he was a child. He came through the academy and has gone on to achieve great things with the first team. He has been an integral dare I say an indispensable part of the setup for a long time now. However, it does seem his time as the starting right-back is shorter than we would envisage years back.

Dani Carvajal was never a physical specimen. However, injuries in the last couple of seasons have taken a heavy toll on him. He has spent more time nursing injuries than contributing on the field. Not only that there has been a significant drop-off in his performances in big games. Against PSG, he was no rival to Kylian Mbappe. He couldn’t catch up to his searing pace and was struggling to contain him in 1v1 battles as well. In the Clasico too he was largely irrelevant.

The game against Chelsea gives him a chance at redemption. The truth is despite his shortcoming he is still the best right back in the current squad. Lucas is at best a backup right back. Alvaro  Odriozola who is on loan to Fiorentina has not shown that he can be a starting right-back for a Champions League side. The decision to sell Hakimi is coming to bite Real Madrid in the back. Hakimi is enjoying a good if not spectacular season with PSG and has recently led Morocco to a World Cup berth in Qatar.

Things could change quickly though. Owing to the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian conflict, Real Madrid has been able to sign Shakhtar right back Vinicius Tobias on loan. He is a promising young right back from Brazil. As per scouting reports, he is an offensive juggernaut. Although not defensively sound, he can make up for that with his dribbling and 1v1 play. This could prove to be a great signing for Real Madrid. It will be interesting to see if Carlo would buck the trend and give a youngster a go in the first team.

This leads us to my prediction. As I said earlier, Carvajal is a true Madridista. But you have to be able to put in 110% on the field if you wish to play for this club. I feel the game against Chelsea will be a tough reminder for Madrid that they need to move past Carvajal now and give a chance to a youngster and/or look for someone in the upcoming summer transfer window.

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