Real Madrid experienced a rather unlikely 45 minutes on Saturday afternoon against Osasuna. The Madrid club, in crisis after being overwhelmed (4-0) in the Clasico and dominated (3-1) by Milan on Tuesday in the Champions League, on the one hand took flight in the first half against the team from Pamplona, in 2-0 lead at half-time in front of their fans. But on the other hand there were three injuries, which forced Carlo Ancelotti to make early changes.
Kylian Mbappé, lined up in the Merengues’ starting eleven, stood out thanks to Vinicius and Jude Bellingham. The Brazilian, a disappointed candidate for this year’s Ballon d’Or, opened the scoring (34th) and the Englishman allowed his team to take a break (42nd) just before half-time.
But before that, the Madrid team saw two of their players leave the pitch due to injury. First touchdown: the Brazilian Rodrygo. The striker gave in to Brahim Diaz in the 20th minute. Ten minutes later Carlo Ancelotti was forced to make a second substitution. Defender Eder Militao was hit on the right knee and was forced to be carried on a stretcher. Raúl Asencio immediately took his place.
Wasn’t that enough? A third Madrilenian was injured in this first period (39th), in the person of Lucas Vázquez. The captain had to leave for a few seconds to be treated on the sideline, visibly injured in his right thigh. But if he first resumed his position on the right wing, where the usual starter Dani Carvajal is already injured in his right knee, he ended up giving way to Luka Modric at half-time, with Valverde settling on the defensive side.
Real Madrid is also already deprived of its starting goalkeeper, Thibaut Courtois, French midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni and even Austrian defender David Alaba.
Time.news Editor: Welcome, everyone. Today, we’re diving into the recent tumultuous match between Real Madrid and Osasuna. With us is football analyst and historian, Dr. Clara Valdez. Clara, thank you for joining us.
Dr. Valdez: Thank you for having me! It’s a pleasure to discuss such an intriguing match.
Editor: The match started with Real Madrid showing a strong performance, especially after their recent struggles. What do you think contributed to their initial success against Osasuna?
Dr. Valdez: Despite their recent setbacks, Madrid’s first-half performance showcased their resilience. The players seemed motivated to bounce back from their previous defeats, particularly the humbling loss in the Clasico. They capitalized on their home advantage and created an aggressive offensive strategy that put Osasuna on the back foot.
Editor: That’s an interesting perspective. The injuries, however, seemed to disrupt their momentum. How did you see those changes impacting the game?
Dr. Valdez: Injuries can dramatically shift the dynamics of a match, especially when they occur early on. For Carlo Ancelotti, having to make early substitutions forced him to adjust his tactics on the fly. This likely created confusion among the players who had to adapt to new roles, which Osasuna capitalized on in the second half. It’s a challenging situation for any coach.
Editor: Indeed, it must be frustrating for a coach to have to make such critical adaptations mid-game. Does this highlight vulnerabilities in Real Madrid’s squad depth?
Dr. Valdez: Absolutely. This situation underscores the importance of having a deep bench, particularly for a club with the stature of Real Madrid. Injuries not only impact the starting lineup but also the overall psyche of the team. If backup players aren’t able to perform at a similar level as the starters, it can lead to inconsistencies.
Editor: You mentioned the team psyche. How much do you think the morale from a strong first half can counteract the effect of injuries?
Dr. Valdez: Morale plays a significant role in football. A strong start can boost confidence, but when faced with adversity—like injuries—it can challenge that initial momentum. If players begin to feel doubts, it can affect their performance. The key is how well the remaining players rally together and support each other through the tough moments.
Editor: That’s a great point. Looking ahead, what do you think Ancelotti needs to focus on in training following this match?
Dr. Valdez: Ancelotti will definitely need to work on squad rotation and instilling a sense of unity among his players. Specifically, he’ll want to focus on creating tactical flexibility so that when injuries occur, players are prepared to step into new roles seamlessly. Additionally, building mental resilience will be crucial for maintaining confidence through the adversity of a season.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Valdez. Your insights on Real Madrid’s challenges and the broader implications for their season are invaluable. As they navigate these difficulties, it will be interesting to see how the team evolves.
Dr. Valdez: My pleasure! It’s always exciting to analyze football, especially with such a dynamic team like Real Madrid.
Editor: Thanks for joining us today. We’ll keep an eye on how this unfolds as La Liga progresses.