Real Madrid vs. Chelsea: 3 positives Carlo Ancelotti must carry into second leg
Carlo Ancelotti had a roller-coaster week. Diagnosed with COVID-19, he had isolated at home and witnessed Real Madrid struggle to a victory against Celta Vigo. He traveled to London only in the nick of the time to witness a historic night at Stamford Bridge. Carlo Ancelotti has been criticized a lot this season for his tactics and squad handling. However, his team is fighting on all fronts and has a chance to win the coveted double of LaLiga and the Champions League.
Real Madrid decimated Chelsea courtesy of yet another hat-trick from Karim Benzema in a 3-1 victory at the Stamford Bridge in London. It was a historic performance on a special night which is testimony to the proclamation of Real Madrid being the kings of Europe.
We look at three decisions of Carlo Ancelotti that went a long way in ensuring a victory for Real Madrid in the first leg against Chelsea.
1. Starting Fede Valverde
In my preview article for this match, I had predicted that Fede Valverde would start in the midfield ahead of Toni Kroos. I sure got one part of the prediction right as Valverde did the start the match. However, it was not his usual midfield position but as a right-winger.
Well, it would not be entirely accurate to describe his role as a right-winger in the game as Carlo himself alluded to it after the match that he played in a more positional position rather than a zone. In reality, Valverde was occupying the entire right side of the field. He would tuck in at right-back to support Dani Carvajal. At times it allowed Carvajal more freedom to traverse through the middle. He drifted into the midfield as well to suffocate Chelsea’s midfield. He nullified Kante’s presence completely to the extent that Tuchel had to take him off at halftime. Valverde was a constant threat in the attack as well. He put crosses into the box and played inch-perfect through balls quite often.
Valverde is the personification of energy and intensity on the field. However, Carlo has not been given a starting spot in the midfield three as often as he would have liked. He still values the control and skills of KCM midfield despite their obvious flaws. Therefore Valverde has to contend with a rotational role and play as a pseudo winger.
Carlo got it absolutely right by starting him ahead of the usual right-wingers Asensio and Rodrygo who offer little from the flank. Valverde’s presence destabilized the Chelsea team. It seemed that Tuchel was taken aback by the decision to start him and had no answers to thwart his presence.
Valverde adds an extra dimension to the team like no other player. His legs and lungs never give up even after running tirelessly for his team. He is an indispensable part of the team. He is the very definition of a big game player often stepping up at the biggest of the stages. Yes, Benzema, Vinicius, Modric, Courtois, and co. are crucial to this side, however, if Real Madrid are to win the Champions League this season Valverde has to be in the side more often than not.