Real Madrid’s 3-2 comeback victory over Roma on Tuesday underlined the club’s resilience, but midfield struggles remained a talking point. The partnership of Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouameni failed to provide the spark expected during much of the match, prompting manager José Mourinho to turn to substitutes Arda Guler and Bernardo Silva, whose introduction brought greater control and fluency.
Despite the dip in form from the Uruguayan-French midfield duo, Mourinho has no plans to alter his preferred pairing ahead of the weekend clash against Sevilla, according to MARCA. The manager emphasised his preference for physicality in midfield during his post-match press conference, saying, “If we started with the XI who ended the game, they put five past us. There are moments and moments. I had changes to make. They were going to get tired, the cards were going to arrive.”
Mourinho’s commitment to physicality appears unshaken, even as questions arise about whether Valverde and Tchouameni can consistently provide the technical creativity needed. The manager’s reluctance to compromise on strength in midfield reflects the style he wants from his side, despite the evident benefits brought by more technical players like Silva and Guler when introduced.
One tactical adjustment under consideration involves repositioning Valverde to right-back, a role he has occupied effectively in recent seasons. This move would keep the midfielder’s physical presence on the pitch while allowing a more technically skilled player to slot into midfield. During the Roma match, Valverde did shift to defence after Guler’s introduction, a change that helped the team regain control.
With El Clasico approaching, Mourinho faces a balancing act between maintaining the muscle in midfield and integrating technical finesse. The decision to persist with Valverde and Tchouameni as the starting partnership signals a clear preference for robustness, even as the manager experiments with alternatives off the bench.
The Sevilla game will provide the next test of Mourinho’s midfield strategy and whether the adjustments on the flanks can offset the recent midfield shortcomings. Until then, the Uruguayan and French duo remain Mourinho’s first choice in the centre of the park.
According to Yahoo Sports.
