Real Madrid were able to beat Elche on Tuesday, but it did not come without problems. After initially going 2-0 up in the first half, Los Blancos lost all control of the game, and were able to let the home side back into the picture.
They conceded two careless goals after allowing the team to have a lot of possession, and they were not able to get to the finish line without the usual last-minute drama they have made themselves accustomed with.
A goal from Carlos Espi was just about enough for the team to get the three points, but it was less about that and more about how these sorts of games can turn into draws and losses when the ball does not want to go in for them.
Real Madrid get a lot of control with Bernardo Silva
It is something that happened against Real Betis, too, and it can happen again. If Real Madrid don't want to be in this position more often, they must start a midfielder like Bernardo Silva more often than not.
He is not your typical controller like a Rodri or a Toni Kroos, but Silva provides a level of ball-retention that most of Real Madrid's midfielders dream of. He is silky smooth on the ball, is able to turn efficiently and pass the ball around well, and can also work really hard defensively.
Obviously, Real Madrid cannot play him in every single game, especially considering he is on the wrong side of 30, but Real Madrid need a midfielder like Silva to pass the ball around and keep it more often, and without him, it feels like the team is just trying to get by.
With Aurelien Tchouameni and Fede Valverde as the team's two deep midfielders, Real Madrid always struggle to keep the ball. While both players are fantastic in key aspects of the sport, neither of them is a player who can pass the ball well enough, while also boasting the ability to keep the ball under pressure.
Silva is not at the level of a Kroos or a Luka Modric, but he is of a similar mould of the Croatian. He cannot provide the obvious easiness of life that Real Madrid had with Kroos in their squad, but he can still help Real Madrid retain the ball and keep control of the game. It is important that he plays more often, and it is also really crucial that Real Madrid sign a player who can play like him, too.
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