Three questions and three answers from Real Madrid – Atalanta 2-0, UEFA Super Cup 2024

Real Madrid secured a 2-1 win over Celta Vigo in Galicia on Saturday evening and had to work hard for the three points. Using a different and fascinating system, Kylian Mbappé equalized in the first half with a beautiful long-range shot, but Williot Swedburg equalized at the start of the second half after defensive errors brought him into the game. Finally, Vinícius Júnior scored a second goal for Real Madrid after beating Vicente Guaita following a great assist from substitute Luka Modrić.

Three answers

1. What form would Real Madrid take?

This week began with expectations that Real Madrid might stick with a 4-3-3 shape with Rodrygo Goes on the right wing, but this switched to a midfield diamond, not used for the first time this season. However, unlike other usages, Aurelién Tchouameni played so deep that he almost acted like a third central defender. There was a new system in which Eduardo Camavinga, Fede Valverde and Jude Bellingham effectively tried to compensate for the lack of pressing from the front duo Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior. These three worked tirelessly behind them to put some pressure on Celta Vigo's defense, but the system once again left gaps that opened up all over the pitch, particularly on Real Madrid's right flank, where Antonio Rüdiger and Aurelién Tchouameni were Both appeared to shirk responsibility providing cover to help their teammate Lucas Vázquez.

2. How fit would the injury doubts be?

After missing international duty due to their own fitness difficulties, there were no signs of injury to Éder Militão, Vinícius Júnior or Kylian Mbappé. The latter was the only one who didn't play the entire 90 minutes and was eliminated eight minutes before the end. Thibaut Courtois also returned between the sticks after last appearing against Atlético Madrid and recovering from a muscle injury in his leg. Carlo Ancelotti still has injury concerns in his squad, but the news that there are no short-term concerns with these three key players is a big bonus for Los Blancos.

3. How would Lucas Vázquez settle in?

Wearing the captain's armband at the start of the game, this was only Lucas Vázquez's fourth start of the season, as he replaced Dani Carvajal for the first time after the number two due to a recent injury and surgery that had already ended his 2024–25 season , was substituted. Vázquez is now pretty much the only option available to Carlo Ancelotti at right-back, but his performance in Galicia left many question marks among his critics as to whether he is a strong option for Real Madrid to compete. He made a good impression on offense, was involved in the game and created three great chances. Defensively, he was substandard and was responsible for leaving Williot Svedberg with an enormous amount of space, while Vázquez instead stayed on the wing to cover Hugo Álvarez, leaving a large gap in the middle. It was the kind of hesitation and indecision that comes from an unnatural full-back with limited minutes in recent months.

Three questions

1. Is this an opportunity for Fran García?

Arguably Carlo Ancelotti's biggest surprise on Saturday evening was the decision to play Fran García at left-back ahead of Ferland Mendy. At times the full-back acted more offensively than we were used to from him, seemed to play to his strengths and benefited from the fact that he had spent two weeks on the training pitch. He was decent if not spectacular, completing 95% of his passes, winning three duels from four attempts and recovering the ball six times. He certainly looked more comfortable in that position than Mendy when he came on as a substitute with 20 minutes left. Ancelotti favored Mendy for the big occasion last season and the real test of faith could come against Dortmund.

2. Have we seen the first real signs of tension from “BMV”?

In one of the flashpoints of the first half, Jude Bellingham threw his arms in the air and stepped onto the turf in front of him, frustrated by Vinícius Junior's decision to shoot rather than cross, an act that the Catalan media were desperately looking for. Unfortunately, this came on a night when Vini scored the winner and Mbappé opened the scoring with a shot from outside the box. Mbappé's goal from 0.04 xG was exactly what fans were hoping for when he signed, while Vinícius topped the stats in dribbles completed (five completed) and duels won (10). Nevertheless, this debate has meaning. Bellingham is doing significant groundwork to allow the two top players to do their thing, and that means the England international will have to make a lot of sacrifices. This may not be the only time his patience will be tested.

3. Should Luka Modrić be a regular starter?

Luka Modrić was 39 years old and Real Madrid's oldest player ever when he came on. He proved a hero with a defense-splitting pass that cut Celta Vigo in two and allowed Vinícius to get around Vicente Guaita and score what would prove to be the winning goal. His involvement from the bench seemed inevitable as Fede Valverde only returned to Spain from South America at the end of this week due to international duty, but the Croatian made the most of his 27 minutes on the field, achieving a pass accuracy of 91%. He won two of his three duels and completed his only dribble attempt. While Valverde, Bellingham and Camavinga clearly offer more stamina and energy, none can match Modrić's ability to find a defense-splitting pass. This continues to be an ace up Carlo Ancelotti's sleeve and shows Modrić's value to this team.