Real Madrid’s comeback against Roma in midweek, overturning a 3-1 deficit to win within ten minutes, raised questions over Jose Mourinho’s initial midfield selection. The Portuguese manager opted to start with a physical midfield, leaving out Arda Guler and Bernardo Silva, two players who eventually entered the game and helped change its course.
According to a report by Rodra, Mourinho’s plan was to field the most physical XI possible to counter Roma’s intensity. This led him to prefer Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni in midfield at kickoff, prioritizing strength and stamina over possession and creativity. Mourinho expected Roma’s high tempo to slow in the second half, allowing Real Madrid to capitalize once the opposition’s pace dropped.
The strategy required sacrificing ball control early on, which showed as Real Madrid struggled to manage the game’s rhythm. The team found itself 3-1 behind before Mourinho introduced Guler and Silva, whose entrance injected much-needed composure and attacking impetus. Their impact sparked the remarkable comeback, leaving fans and commentators questioning why the duo had been left on the bench initially.
While the approach eventually paid off, it pushed Real Madrid close to dropping three points in the UEFA Champions League fixture. The reliance on subs to turn the game around points to a risky game plan that may not hold up in all situations.
Real Madrid’s season has been marked by difficulties in maintaining possession and generating meaningful attacking chances. Guler and Silva bring qualities that address these issues, offering control and creativity in midfield. The midweek game exposed the limits of Mourinho’s preference for a purely physical midfield pairing of Valverde and Tchouameni, especially against teams with rapid attacking transitions like Roma.
With El Clasico approaching, Mourinho faces a decision on whether to adjust his midfield strategy for bigger matches. The success of Guler and Silva’s second-half contributions against Roma suggests that Real Madrid might benefit from integrating them more regularly into starting lineups.
The team’s ability to dominate possession and create clear attacking openings remains a work in progress. Mourinho’s choice to start with a physical midfield was a calculated risk to contain Roma’s pace, but it came with the cost of falling behind early in the match. The midweek game’s outcome may influence future selections as Real Madrid prepares for high-profile clashes in the Champions League and La Liga.
According to Yahoo Sports.
