Real Madrid will face English powers and newfound foes Arsenal in the second leg of the Champions League quarterfinals. Los Blancos have a monumental task: recover a three-goal deficit against an opponent that allows few offensive threats.
Mikel Arteta's team will not get off easy at the Santiago Bernabeu. They know what Real Madrid will be striving for, and they will use every method and player available to prevent Madrid from scoring.
And, in order to defy Arsenal's preparations, Real Madrid must seek to play at least three non-negotiable starters who will be required to protect and inflict significant damage on the visiting team. The three non-negotiable starters are:
Fede Valverde
The 90 minutes at the Bernabeu are known to be lengthier than typical. And who better than Fede Valverde to keep the team's engines running for so long? Valverde has been Real Madrid's most consistent player over the years, including this season.
His presence anywhere on the pitch usually produces instant and lucrative consequences. He is a productive midfielder who not only produces dangerous opportunities, but also prevents the opponent from finding open areas.
Valverde is also the top defender around. His talents as a right back have provided Los Blancos with much-needed defensive help.
It remains to be seen how Carlo Ancelotti will opt to play the Uruguayan. Both midfield and defensive options are available. It would be critical to determine which position he should cover more.
Raul Asencio
Arsenal will be more intent on guarding the ball against Real Madrid. But they are not going to quit bothering them in the back completely. It only took them 16 minutes to score three goals in the first leg, and any additional mistake would be catastrophic.
Asencio has been a critical defensive addition for Real Madrid, almost like a jackpot in the blank nothingness. He has been a towering presence in all contests he has participated in, and he is destined for a long-term career with Los Blancos.
Against Arsenal, his likely partnership with Antonio Rudiger will be critical not simply for ball protection but also for sustaining momentum. Madrid will have to play furious and pressing football, and the initial step of pressing will depend on the defense's reliability. Asencio will be crucial to this.
Kylian Mbappe
A total of three goals must be breached. The figure is not insignificant in any manner. The only way to make up the massive gap would be to deny Arsenal's defense any comfort for a single minute at the Bernabeu.
The goal should be to establish aggressive dominance from the start of the game. Los Blancos must score an early goal to gain momentum and score the following two or three. And Kylian Mbappe is the best candidate to do the assignment.
We're all well aware of his ability in key games. He has performed admirably in previous Champions League tournaments, and the World Cup 2022 final was no exception. He single-handedly kept the entire French squad alive till the final minute.His two goals against Argentina's defense were not only significant, but also unexpected. A copy of that performance will be required at the absolute least.
His courage and presence in big games are evident, and keeping him in the starting lineup with Vinicius Jr. and others is the most important thing Ancelotti can do. Mbappe must burn himself out, take all of the risks, and attempt the most crude but conclusive attempts at goal in order to continue scaring Arsenal's battery and organize the much-anticipated comeback.
The presence of these three non-negotiable starters, who are arguably at the pinnacle of their games, is undeniable. This time, they must go above and beyond to do the unthinkable.