FFor years, the world’s biggest secret was Coca-Cola’s formula. The recipe is kept strictly confidential and known only to a few people. Real Madrid found out exactly the opposite after their crucial victory against Villarreal. They don’t need any secrets to be recognized again. Sometimes the simplest things are the most effective. Defend, run, and score. In other words, the ABCs of soccer.
Maybe everything is going well now
Lionel Messi reacts when cameraman crosses line during Inter Miami match overseas
“You cannot go against the nature of the players. On the contrary, you have to take advantage of it,” said Alvaro Arbeloa after the victory, after holding talks with the group in Valdebebas to reach an agreement. “We have a lot of players who dominate with space and speed, and they are usually good at scoring. When we can run, we do it. That’s our nature and that’s where we make the difference.” It took just 12 days to take charge of a broken dressing room and get the team back on track. Only God needed less time (6 days) to create everything. And on the seventh day he rested.
A surefire recipe
Real Madrid have gone back to their old ways. Solid defense, quick transitions, and individual talent. It’s a recipe as old as it is effective, the same one that has brought clubs to the top time and time again. There were no magic formulas or experiments, and far from the rock’n’roll that Xabi Alonso had promised (though perhaps time would have proven him right), the team regained the energy it needed to compete, with low-to-medium blocking without the ball, a change of direction to improve one-on-one play, and above all, the energy it needed to compete. Nothing new. Nothing sophisticated. But it’s recognizable.
In this context, the return of Arda Greer and Mastantuono to the starting eleven is key. Their mobility, athleticism, and cheeky touch are contagious. “Each coach has his own way of doing things, but maybe everything is coming together better now. We have to keep pushing to feel joy at the end of the season,” Courtois explained.
The White team, at least for now, closed a wound that could have caused a serious crisis. After just a week and a half, Madrid have their place at the top of La Liga in doubt and await Sunday’s game between Barcelona and Oviedo. Above all, it restored something as basic as strength. Even when he loses, he presses, competes in every duel, and when he has space, he comes out with determination. And in this scenario, Madrid feel comfortable. That in itself is fun. I’ll run. And smile again.
