Real Madrid Faces Midfield Crisis Amidst Poor Performance

omidbasir- Alarm bells are sounding at the Santiago Bernabeu following a disappointing 4-2 defeat to Benfica in Lisbon, which has left the reigning European champions outside the top eight in the Champions League standings. This situation now forces them to navigate a playoff to secure a spot in the last 16.

Los Blancos began the season with high hopes under coach Xabi Alonso, winning 13 of their first 14 matches. However, fortunes quickly changed as their form in both La Liga and the Champions League declined, resulting in Alonso’s dismissal after a loss in the Supercopa de Espana final to Barcelona.

The midweek setback against Jose Mourinho’s squad has revealed that the issues extend beyond the first team. A concerning report from Cadena SER indicates a shift in sentiment within the club’s leadership, moving from apprehension to resignation regarding their squad planning.

For the first time, senior club officials have admitted that the transition strategy intended to modernize the squad has faltered. Anton Meana, reporting for El Larguero, highlighted this change in perspective, noting, “It is the first time that, speaking with important people at the club, I perceive the feeling that the plan has failed regarding the generational relief in the centre of the field.”

The root of this crisis lies in the daunting task of replacing the most successful midfield trio in the club’s history. For a decade, Casemiro, Toni Kroos, and Luka Modric were instrumental, securing four Champions League titles and becoming legends at the club. Their eventual departure was anticipated, leading Madrid to invest significantly in preparing for the future.

Substantial resources were directed toward acquiring their successors: Eduardo Camavinga, Aurelien Tchouameni, and Dani Ceballos were signed to take over, while additional creative talents such as Brahim Diaz and Arda Guler were also brought in to enhance depth and dynamism.

However, the recent assessment indicates that the club now recognizes its failure to find adequate replacements. Despite heavy investments in youth, the current midfield has struggled to replicate the control, leadership, and winning mentality of their predecessors. The “immeasurable stamp” left by Kroos and Modric has underscored the inadequacies of the new generation, which has failed to assert itself in matches.

The acknowledgment of failure extends beyond the players themselves; it reflects a broader acceptance of poor sporting direction. The report notes that three different coaches have attempted to make this midfield configuration functional, yet the anticipated progress from younger players has not materialized.

The Real Madrid board is reportedly aware of a “huge footballing problem” within the first team. While they continue to view their attacking lineup, featuring global stars like Vinicius Junior, Jude Bellingham, and Kylian Mbappe, as elite, they concede that the support system behind them is lacking. The Galacticos up front are being deprived of the service and stability that the previous midfield provided.

Club hierarchy has voiced that, although the players are talented, the essential chemistry to replace the old guard is absent. The signings made to fill the midfield gap were both costly and highly regarded, but the reality on the pitch indicates that the collective unit is underperforming.

With the current season at risk and the possibility of a trophy-less campaign looming, the sporting direction is already planning for the future. Cadena SER reports that preparations for the next campaign have commenced, as the club is eager to prevent a prolonged competitive drought for current coach Alvaro Arbeloa or any future appointment.

The proposed solution involves another significant investment in the upcoming transfer window, with the clear objective of revitalizing the midfield. While some accountability is attributed to the coaching staff, the board largely accepts the blame for the failed planning. They recognize that the resources provided to the coaching team were insufficient to uphold the club’s high standards, prompting expectations of a major summer overhaul to conclude the transition era.