Actualizado
Ferland Mendy played three clásicos last season, while Fran García was featured in one. Over on the right, all matches were handled by Lucas Vázquez. Following the injury of Militao after the first match, the center position rotated between Asensio, Tchouaméni, and Rüdiger. The Madrid defense conceded a total of 16 goals in the four encounters against Barcelona, but now has several solid reasons to believe in containing the Barcelona attack . One of those vital reasons is Álvaro Carreras.
The left-back returned to Real Madrid this summer for a fee of €50 million , quickly becoming a crucial element in the tactical setup of Xabi Alonso. His season began impressively, demonstrating poise and significance in build-up play, although recent outings, particularly against Atlético Madrid and most recently against Juventus, have seen him struggle defensively.
Despite the challenges, the recruitment of Carreras, alongside the arrivals of Huijsen and the recoveries of Militao and Carvajal, has fortified Madrid’s defensive line. Carreras had spent years in the Real Madrid academy before moving through clubs like Manchester United , Granada , and finally Benfica , where he excelled, especially in Champions League fixtures. Notably, he played against Lamine Yamal and Barcelona during his tenure in Portugal, featuring in two out of four matches between the two teams. During those games, Yamal failed to score or assist.
A Necessary Addition
In the first match, the thrilling 4-5 at Da Luz, Carreras delivered an assist but also became involved in a controversial penalty on Lamine before the latter was substituted in the 78th minute. In the knockout phase, Yamal, marked by Carreras, was so isolated that Flick opted to withdraw him from the match by the 56th minute. Although Barcelona narrowly won that encounter 0-1, Carreras’s performance drew significant attention in Valdebebas, where his physical prowess, positional understanding, and ball skills are highly regarded. While some areas for improvement remain — such as managing space against long balls — the transition at left-back has been deemed “ more than necessary ” for the team.
His arrival at the Santiago Bernabéu has resolved several of Real Madrid’s tactical issues. Beyond improving their defensive capabilities, Carreras, along with Huijsen, has taken on substantial responsibilities in ball progression. He frequently integrates into midfield, thereby allowing Vinicius Júnior to occupy the left flank, and fluidly interacts with players like Tchouaméni, Güler, and Bellingham, often serving as an additional midfielder. Furthermore, he has demonstrated the flexibility to function as a third center-back when circumstances demand. These attributes have led to him becoming the third-most utilized outfield player under Alonso, following Mbappé and Tchouaméni.
“We have been monitoring him for quite some time, but his competitive nature and personality have pleasantly surprised me. He makes very few mistakes, stays focused, possesses impressive mental, tactical, and technical quality; he’s incredibly well-rounded. The instant impact he’s had is noteworthy; it’s fantastic news for us,” Alonso remarked a few weeks ago. As Carreras now prepares for a crucial clash against Yamal and Barcelona at Chamartín , the stakes could not be higher.
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