Last season’s Champions League winners, Real Madrid won their second win in the 2022/23 Champions League group qualifying round. Two goals scored by Frederico Valverde and Marco Asensio made the visitors RB Leipzig go home empty-handed.
The victory recorded Madrid as a team in Europe that is unbeaten in all competitions this season. Even Madrid still maintains 100 percent of wins from every match played in the 2022/23 season. With this, Madrid managed to be at the top of the group F standings. It appears that Madrid is already one step away from advancing to the round of 16 when considering the results that have been achieved and Madrid’s opponents in group F.
The game again showed the shrewdness of manager Carlo Ancelotti as well as the role of his young players. Ancelotti rotated players at home to RB Leipzig. Injuries to striker Karim Benzema on the front lines made Ancelotti play a trio of young attackers. Rodrygo is lined up as a center forward and is flanked by Vinicius Jr on the left and Valverde on the right.
In particular, the role of Valverde, so far, Ancelotti has been quite successful in playing him outside his original position. Even Valverde is regarded as a player who often changes positions in the Madrid squad this season. Last week in the Spanish La Liga when Madrid met Mallorca, Valverde was placed as a right midfielder. Then, in the first match against Celtic, Valverde was played as a right striker.
Early this morning, Valverde was again played as a right striker. For two games in the Champions League, Valverde is often played by Ancelotti as an attacking player on the right side. In fact, Valverde is a midfielder character. However, when Valverde was entrusted with leaving his original position, the 24-year-old managed to repay that trust.
That belief is so visible through the contribution of goals for Madrid. When playing against Mallorca where Madrid won 4-2 last weekend, Valverde who was placed as a right midfielder managed to contribute 1 goal. When placed as a right striker, again Valverde managed to contribute goals for Madrid. Valverde has scored two goals in his last two games for Madrid from two different positions.
Therefore, Valverde managed to play every role when entrusted to Ancelotti. Even on the right wing, Valverde got rid of players like Eden Hazard and Asensio. Valverde’s versatile character, of course, benefits Madrid. In the first place, Valverde can be a suitable alternative when Madrid do not have sufficient stock of players up front or are underperforming.
Elsewhere, Valverde can be the right answer when Modric is injured or Toni Kross is not played. Considering Valverde’s contribution this season, it’s no exaggeration to judge that Valverde is considered a suitable successor to veteran player Luka Modric. Modric has been a mainstay of Los Blancos for more than a decade. In that one decade, Modric became an instrument that contributed greatly to Madrid’s success, especially in the Champions League.
Therefore, it is very difficult to replace the role of the player who has a Croatian passport. Modric, in addition to having prowess in dribbling, setting the rhythm of the game, and scoring goals, Modric is also regarded as one of the leaders in the Madrid squad. The experience and influence factor in the Madrid squad makes Modric one of the respected players.
However, age can not be resisted. Although still influential at the age of 37 years, Modric sooner or later must submit to age, and at the same time make Madrid have to be prepared to lose one of the important assets in the club. Therefore, Madrid immediately looked for the right person to fill the position of the Ballon d’Or winner for the 2018 season
Valverde is seen as a worthy successor. At the age of 24, Valverde still has plenty of season to hone and prove his worth. At the very least, the signs that suggest Valverde could be a replacement for Modric are seen from the role played by the Uruguayan national team player this season. Like Modric, Valverde is also able to adapt to the coach’s tactics, including being placed outside his original position.
In addition, Valverde also has a goal instinct similar to Modric. Evidently, in the match against RB Leipzig in the Champions League this morning, Valverde scored a goal even though he did not play in his flagship position. In fact, Valverde has at least surpassed Modric’s record in the 2022/23 season. Of the seven matches played by Modric and Valverde, Valverde managed to record 3 goals and Modric with 2 goals. Valverde has also packed 2 assists and Modric has only recorded 1 assist.
This record further makes it clear that Valvede can be a commensurate replacement for Modric at Madrid. Valverde rates Modric as an example. Even this Uruguayan player did not hesitate to praise Modric. On his Instagram when Modric celebrated his 37th birthday, Valverde wrote that despite being 37, his performance was like that of a 20-year-old.
The experience with Modric can be a valuable lesson for Valverde. Even sooner or later, Valverde can take the position played by Valverde. This step can be less complicated because Valverde has been prepared and is also indirectly mentored by Modric.
Thus, Madrid do not feel that they have lost Modric who has been quite influential for Madrid since he arrived in 2012 from Tottenham Hotspur. Valverde could be Modric’s successor as well as Madrid’s future. What Modric has shown at Madrid will be continued by Valverde.
ASL
