Basically the “Neo-Real Madrid” team is currently unbalanced, that is
too much blitz fire-power upfront that leaves the defensive positions
undermanned &/or the opposite, there is an “over-population” up
front were current starters Ronaldo, Benzema, Raúl & Kaká basically
step on each other. This has been due to the up till now preferred
4-2-4 system made famous by Real Madrid back into the 50s & 60s,
but is it valid today? Initially it seems not, & it is not because there
aren’t players to make it happen, it’s because there isn’t enough
specific & specialized midfielders to keep the whole team structure
glued & cover so much midfield space. Xabi Alonso is perhaps the only
midfielder in the World with the characteristics to make a 4-2-4
system work properly, as not only does he defend the spaces left
open by his team-mates as they join the waves of attacks, he also
has the capacity to pause, settle, reflect, choose & then feed with
short or long passes directly to the forwards to follow the song to
dance to. This of course, is made easier for Alonso if you have on
your flanks & looking over your shoulder a powerful & disciplined
player like Lassana Diarra who is a locomotive engine.
What if Xabi gets injured, like in the Champions League match against
Zurich in the 2ºhalf & with Real Madrid leading 3-0? The immediate
result was 2 goals from Zurich in 5 minutes that sent the shivers down
the spine of the whole team until Coach Pellegrini put the band-aids
on, or the alternative option: a 4-3-3 system where the team settled &
scored two more goals to win a "tricky" match. Here the debate; again
highlighted last Sunday in the “Liga” game against Xerez in which the
latter had Real Madrid on the ropes for 74 mins, until the 4-2-4 system
changed to 4-3-3 with Granero & Guti joining Diarra in the center. Once
this "alternative" system took hold Real Madrid scored 4 goals in 15
minutes as they overrun with their fire-power the opposite team. Guti,
who is the supposed “creative” midfielder has already scored twice
when he has come on, this in itself is saying something.
Therefore, what seemingly are the apparent merits of the 4-3-3 system
over the more utilized 4-2-4:
1. The consolidation of the midfield that facilitates the possession &
control of the ball, to then be able to feed more often the “hungry”
forwards with class passes directing the strikers into spaces to work
their magic.
2. The decongestion of the forward line; Ronaldo needs space to
attack defenders, to run at the goal & weave his way into to spaces
to make crosses & to shot. Kaká needs space to run & direct the play
plus have his shots at goal, while Benzema is a vertical player that
receives the ball, turns & then runs at the goal with his power to look
for the goal. They all need SPACE.
3. The creative element; it gives more playing options to the team.
4. Allows the defending wingers to attack with confidence knowing
that there will be enough midfielders to cover their tracks. It’s another
strategy available that opens up the creativity possibility of the whole
team without halting the natural characteristics of Marcelo & Sergio
Ramos who wish to join the attack.
This may sound easy, but the actual application of the 4-3-3 system
could be experiencing some “political” problems. Real Madrid has
invested a huge amount of money in “attacking” players, & then there
is the “Raul issue”: who do you leave out? If you leave on the bench
Raúl, Ronaldo, Benzema …etc. you could cause discontent in the
dressing room & destroy the delicate equilibrium of a “star studded”
squad. Up till now the team line-up from the midfield to goal that
appears is the most effective – by observation – would be: Xabi, Lass,
Guti, Káka, Higuaín & Ronaldo. At first sight we don’t see Raul nor
do we see Benzema, not to mention Granero although the later is
less problematic.
So what’s the solution? SFS does not wish to give an answer for
something it cannot presume to know more than the Real Madrid
Coach or the professional’s who make a living from this all. What SFS
does observe from its amateur position is that a 4-3-3 system seems
the most appropriate system for this particular squad that solves the
many tactical playing issues, but to enforce it needs some tough
decisions for the final good of the team as a whole & above the
interest of individual obligations or needs. SFS believes that Coach
Pellegrini is currently attempting to satisfy everyone, maintain the
very delicate dressing room cohesion & balance by giving everyone
a run on the field that in the short term a 4-2-4 system solves &
maybe good, but that in the mid to long term may play a more
negative role than positive as it does not help too settle the team.
This last point should be the objective, & attempt to be achieved
as quickly as possible.
No one said it would be easy with so much new players & big stars;
there are no doubts that it is more complex than what it appears to
the outside & to simple observers like SFS. But it’s the fundamental
element of success: to build a TEAM. To date Real Madrid is a squad
of World Class individuals achieving the teams results via individual
actions, this is not the way, as sacrifice – & tough decisions – will
be needed to create an enduring, settled, stable & balanced outfit.
The 4-2-4 system is an apparent attempt to satisfy & make everyone
happy, but it’s not working. A 4-3-3 system seems to work much
better, but it risks the creation of potential problems in the near to
mid future. So what is better? The answer must be, what’s best for
the whole Team, as some players will need to understand this concept
& others will need to apply it.
As we began our post saying; too much of a good thing. It´s
paradoxical, it´s every Coach´s dream to have a squad with all
the Best Players in The World & yet there are difficulties.It all boils
down to making a Team. What are your thoughts?
