Real Madrid Fan Club

Spanish Debate: Real Madrid’s midfield comes of age?

While Madrid have endured both good times and bad since the new year, recent developments in midfield have generally seen the Bernabéu men improve, and last night was no exception.

Yes, we can factor in the facts that the referee was poor - and often seemed to aid Madrid, if unintentionally - and Barça were dreadful, but nonetheless, there was a sweeping dominance to the blancos’ midfield play that is very much worthy of note. For those who missed it, it was something of a 4-3-3, with Gago, Guti and Diarra forming an unorthodox central trio, and Sneijder, Robben and Raúl a bit further up.

If this looks like a strange setup, that’s because it is - but only if one looks at it in rigid terms. One may ask where the right wing influence is; others may look for a true centre-forward. In fact, the beauty of the formation was in its versatility, as it operated primarily on a basis of going where Barcelona did not. When the right flank was open, there was Sergio Ramos, or even Diarra, ready to bomb up it. When a more central option was called for, Guti was ready and waiting, while Gago was not shy in lending his support.

Seeds Of Change

It was an asymmetrical showing, and one that only a side high on confidence could pull off. The fruits of it were apparent in three of the goals, too: for the first, the chance was built up the right, drawing Barcelona’s stoppers out of position before play was abruptly switched to the middle, where Guti made the magic happen. (The second, a colossal refereeing error, we’ll leave out.) Goal number three was borne precisely of all that space out on the right, which Diarra (of all people) took full advantage of, and the fourth, while from the spot, showed both dynamicism on the left and no fewer than four onrushing targets in the middle.

Thus what looked a bit like a rather defensive 4-3-3 in fact showed an ability to bloom into a 4-1-5 at times, but also to contract into a 4-2-3-1. In short, the system is without rigidity. This may not work so well away from home or against sides who aim to press forward as it can leave gaps between the midfield and attack - the kind that Barcelona have been plagued by all season, coincidentally enough - but for a game like this, it was absolutely perfect.

In no small part is that down to the players that Madrid have at their disposal.

Current Options, Future Options

Diarra, while out of favour, showed his versatility with a commanding performance - maybe the best on the pitch - and perhaps staked a claim to remaining at the club next season with action both defensive and out wide. Question marks remain over his final ball, but it’s undoubtedly true that he at least has something to offer. Wesley Sneijder, meanwhile, had a positive showing and will no doubt be involved in future, but Fernando Gago’s showing was perhaps most encouraging of all: he’s starting to blossom in the way that Madrid would have hoped last year. Diarra may have outshone him on the night, but Gago truly displayed his potential.

Further up, Robben and Robinho both showed enough confidence to cut in from the left and worry the likes of Zambrotta, while the forwards’ contributions are becoming more team-based and less reactive than they have been since the start of the season. Indeed, there was not a single bad showing in the midfield or attack for Madrid (although a couple of the back line will have questions to ask of themselves.)

Of course, there may be associated changes in summer. The club have stated that only three signings will be coming in, but they could be significant ones. Diego, for example, could change plenty of the dynamics: the Werder Bremen man would almost certainly be accomodated in the starting eleven, with changes to match.

Another change with ramifications for the midfield might be up front. Madrid’s president, Ramón Calderón, has made no secret of his desire to land a trophy striker like David Villa. Assuming that the 4-3-3 remains, it’ll presumably morph into more of a 4-3-2-1, as it began last night, with two attackERs playing off a bona-fide forward, depending on who is fit and available.

Whatever happens, it’s clear that there’ll be no shortage of talent.

Potential Pitfalls

While there is every reason for the Madridtista to be confident, there are also some snags. First of all, it’s already the case that there is intense competition for a spot in the line-up: should the likes of, say, Diego come in for Julio Baptista and David Villa replace Soldado or Saviola, then this will only get worse - or better, depending on your point of view.

Of course, it is a boon to have numerous players available in any given position: not only does it discourage “first pick” complacency but it also provides much-needed cover for injuries. The danger is, though, that too many cooks can spoil the broth. If big-names - or prima-donnas, to be less kind - are not guaranteed a first team berth, they can grow disinterested or angry.

There was a danger of this happening out on the left between Robinho and Arjen Robben, although it’s not yet come to pass. But if, say, David Villa comes in, he are surely not going to stand for being second fiddle in the centre-forward stakes (and why should he?) This also applies in the midfield, given the targets that Madrid have been linked with.

However, as we know, Robinho has been rather quiet since his dropping for Robben, and while we can speculate as to the reasons, it does seem as if both confidence and team spirit are high at Madrid. In a way, tactics aside, that may be the most important factor, and it may explain why Schuster’s men have found that winning formula for the time being.

To keep it going will require plenty of hard work, but the foundations must be considered even better than they were this time last year. There is every reason for Madrid to be confident.

What do you think? What are the key aspects of Madrid’s midfield? What formation or tactic do you think works for them? Who, if anyone, do they need to sign in summer - and who should they get rid of? Let us known your thoughts.