Why Real Madrid Is Becoming a Boredom to Watch

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24 Sept 2024

Real Madrid has long been synonymous with breathtaking football, where individual brilliance meets seamless team coordination. However, recent concerns have emerged over the lack of chemistry between star players such as Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Jr., and Jude Bellingham.

Despite their undeniable talent, the flow of play is inconsistent, raising questions about their ability to perform at the level expected of Los Blancos.

The Star-Studded Lineup: Expectations and Reality

The introduction of Kylian Mbappé into the Real Madrid squad came with enormous expectations. Pairing him with Vinícius Jr., one of the fastest and most technically gifted forwards in the game, should have created a lethal combination.

Add Jude Bellingham's vision and creativity in midfield, and on paper, Real Madrid seemed poised to recapture the fluid attacking football reminiscent of their fabled "Galácticos" era.

However, football is not simply a collection of talent. The intricacies of player relationships on the field—timing, understanding, and mutual trust—play an equally important role in producing the magic fans crave.

While Mbappé, Vinícius, and Bellingham are individually exceptional, the fluidity between them often seems forced or lacking altogether.

Kylian Mbappé
A player who thrives on space and quick transitions, Mbappé is one of the most dangerous forwards in world football. Yet, without clear coordination with his teammates, he is often left isolated or forced into situations where he has to create opportunities out of nothing.

Vinícius Jr
As a fast and creative winger, Vinícius needs structured offensive movement to fully utilize his abilities. But without consistent combinations with Mbappé or Bellingham, his impact can wane, especially against well-organized defenses.

Jude Bellingham
In midfield, Bellingham has shown flashes of brilliance, but the lack of connection with the forwards hampers his ability to dictate play as effectively as he could.

A System Still in Development

Part of the challenge lies in how new these players are to each other’s styles. Chemistry takes time, especially when dealing with egos, language barriers, and differing playing philosophies. Real Madrid’s coaching staff faces the complex task of finding a tactical system that maximizes each player’s strengths while fostering the necessary collaboration.

For Mbappé, who thrives in a more direct, counter-attacking system, adjusting to Madrid’s slower build-up play requires patience. Similarly, Vinícius is more accustomed to quick one-twos down the left flank, and Bellingham is at his best when orchestrating play through calculated positioning and late attacking runs. Finding harmony between these approaches will take time and tactical adjustments.

Challenges in Attack:

Lack of consistent overlaps and coordinated runs between full-backs and forwards.
Misalignment between Bellingham’s playmaking and the forward runs of Mbappé and Vinícius.
A tendency for individual play over cohesive team movements, leading to breakdowns in possession.

The Role of Coaching and Tactics

Tactics, of course, play a huge part in enabling chemistry. The Real Madrid coaching staff must strike the right balance between letting players express their individuality and setting tactical frameworks that promote synergy.

One area that seems particularly neglected is the coordination of movements between Vinícius and Mbappé, which, if improved, could unlock their combined potential.

Carlo Ancelotti’s role in this cannot be underestimated. As a veteran manager with experience handling superstar talent, it falls on him to find a way to unite the styles of these players. The key is ensuring that they’re not operating in isolation but instead working in concert with one another. Set pieces, overlapping runs, and structured counterattacks are just some of the methods that could improve this cohesion.

What’s Missing: A Lack of Understanding

Chemistry on the football pitch goes beyond tactics; it involves a mutual understanding of where teammates will be, how they’ll react in various situations, and when to exploit space. The greatest teams in football history weren’t just built on star players but on players who understood each other’s movements instinctively.

Historically, Real Madrid has been defined by such partnerships: Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema, Zinedine Zidane and Luís Figo, or even the trio of the BBC—Bale, Benzema, and Cristiano—who had an innate understanding of each other’s roles. That’s precisely what seems to be missing from this current Real Madrid side. While their individual talents are undeniable, the lack of fluidity in their interactions slows down their play and prevents them from reaching their collective potential.

The absence of that "sixth sense" between teammates can lead to awkward moments on the pitch. Simple passes are misplaced, promising attacks break down due to mistimed runs, and opportunities go begging because the players aren’t quite on the same wavelength.

A Blueprint for Revival

To restore the chemistry and electrifying play that Real Madrid fans expect, changes need to be made—not necessarily to the players but to the way they interact on the field. Here are key steps that can help revive their attacking potential:

Enhanced Tactical Drills
Focusing on overlapping runs, timing of through-balls, and quick transitions will help Mbappé, Vinícius, and Bellingham develop a more intuitive understanding of each other’s playstyles.

Smarter Positioning
Ensuring that players are in the right place at the right time, especially during transitions, will help unlock defenses. Bellingham can be more effective as a link between the lines, while Vinícius and Mbappé can time their runs better to exploit spaces.

More Structured Set Plays
Real Madrid has historically been excellent at set-pieces. Focusing on rehearsed plays that emphasize teamwork could help improve their scoring efficiency, particularly when chemistry isn’t enough to break down well-organized defenses.

Patience and Time
Above all, these players need time. Great partnerships aren’t built overnight, and as the team continues to gel, their natural chemistry will develop. The key is not to abandon the process but to allow it to take its course.

Conclusion

Real Madrid’s lack of chemistry between players like Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Jr., and Jude Bellingham is a temporary hurdle that can be overcome with the right blend of tactics, patience, and player understanding. The individual brilliance of these players is undeniable, but football is a team sport that thrives on unity. By enhancing their collaboration on the field and allowing time for chemistry to naturally develop, Real Madrid can return to their signature fluid, electrifying style of football.