Criticism in Spain and elsewhere was inevitable even before the final whistle at the Santiago Bernabeu. Florentino Perez had seemingly dismantled a promising Real Madrid team that had everything it needed by disrupting the balance with a superstar signing. Arsenal, a well-drilled team reminiscent of the best European champions of 2024, dismantled an opponent whose performance recalled the excesses of the mid-2000s, when Perez focused on superficial improvements while neglecting the team`s core issues.
However, the Galactico concept itself hasn`t failed. The output of Galactico-level players simply needs to increase until results improve. Madrid`s primary issue this season isn`t the acquisition of Kylian Mbappe, but rather the failure to adequately replace Toni Kroos.
Federico Valverde received the No. 8 jersey and has consistently delivered outstanding performances throughout the season. Even in defeat, the Uruguayan was one of the few Madrid players who performed well. Valverde fulfilled every expectation, filling in at right-back in the first leg and becoming the primary ball progressor in the second leg at the Bernabeu. He led the team in touches, attempted passes, and ball progression. However, these tasks don`t perfectly align with his optimal skillset.
What Madrid lacked on Wednesday night was a true playmaker, a player capable of identifying and exploiting subtle weaknesses in Arsenal`s defensive structure with precise passes. Think of Kroos`s performance in the Champions League semifinal second leg against Bayern Munich last season, where his 22 progressive passes stretched the opposition and facilitated Madrid`s advancement into the final third.
Contrast this with the lackluster attacking play Madrid displayed against Arsenal. Luka Modric could have been the player to unlock defenses in the past. While still capable, his reduced athleticism at his age was evident in the first leg.
Without a deep-lying tempo-setter, Madrid lacked a clear strategy to advance the ball beyond simply passing to their star forwards. Possession often stagnated on the left flank, where Jurrien Timber effectively contained Vinicius Junior. The right flank was equally ineffective. Madrid`s pass map from the game highlights this, showing a lack of passes into central areas between Arsenal`s lines, where they could have been most dangerous. While Declan Rice and Thomas Partey defended these areas effectively, the best Madrid attacks are known for penetrating even the tightest defenses.
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Madrid needed a player who could dictate movement, whose command of possession is so strong that teammates instinctively make runs into space knowing the ball will reach them. A player with exceptional passing vision, like Trent Alexander-Arnold. Funny that…
Bringing in Alexander-Arnold might have at least made their 43 crosses from open play – the most since November 2018 – more targeted than desperate attempts aimed at William Saliba and Jakub Kiwior. More importantly, a consistent Alexander-Arnold could reduce Madrid`s over-reliance on crosses and long-range shots. A genuine progressive passer at the base of the team would provide Vinicius and Mbappe with the quick passes they thrive on, allowing the team to attack Arsenal before Rice and Partey could regroup.
While Alexander-Arnold`s potential arrival on July 1st won`t solve all problems and may create new ones, his defensive weaknesses are often exaggerated and are outweighed by his attacking contributions. However, Madrid currently lacks a center-back of Ibrahima Konate`s caliber to cover him on the flanks. Integrating Alexander-Arnold requires adjustments to the team`s balance, which may take time to fully materialize but are ultimately worthwhile.
Ultimately, this defeat to Arsenal highlighted the value of a well-organized and diligent team, as Madrid was last season. Returning to that mindset is essential for reclaiming their place at the European summit. This doesn`t preclude addressing existing weaknesses, and Alexander-Arnold appears to be the ideal solution for one of the most significant ones.
