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

Real Madrid scraped through to a 2-1 victory over Celta Vigo on Saturday night in Galicia as they were forced to work hard for the three points. Starring a different and intriguing system, Kylian Mbappé broke the deadlock with a fine strike from distance in the first half, but Williot Swedburg struck an equaliser after defensive lapses let him in early in the second half. Eventually, Vinícius Júnior scored a second for Real Madrid, tapping in after beating Vicente Guaita following a fine assist from substitute Luka Modrić.

Three answers

1. What shape would Real Madrid line-up with?

This week began with an expectation that Real Madrid could stick with a 4-3-3 shape with Rodrygo Goes on the right flank, but it transitioned into a midfield diamond which was used, not for the first time this season. However, this was unlike other usages in that Aurelién Tchouameni was playing so deep that he almost acted like a third central defender. It saw a new system in which Eduardo Camavinga, Fede Valverde and Jude Bellingham effectively looked to make up for the lack of pressing from the frontline duo of Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior. Those three worked tirelessly behind them to press the Celta Vigo defence to some extent, but the system once again left gaps which opened up all over the field, particularly on Real Madrid’s right flank where Antonio Rüdiger and Aurelién Tchouameni both seemed to shirk the responsibility of providing some cover to help out their team-mate Lucas Vázquez.

2. How fit would the injury doubts be?

After missing international duty due to their own fitness struggles, there was no sign of any injury to any of Éder Militão, Vinícius Júnior or Kylian Mbappé. The latter was the only one not to play the full 90 minutes, coming off with eight minutes left on the clock. There was also a return for Thibaut Courtois between the sticks, having last been seen against Atlético Madrid and having overcome a muscle injury in his leg. Carlo Ancelotti still has injury worries 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?

Donning the captain’s armband at the start of the game, this was only Lucas Vázquez’s fourth start of the season as he came in to replace Dani Carvajal for the first time following the number two’s recent injury and surgery which has already ended his 2024/25 campaign. Vázquez is now pretty much the only option available to Carlo Ancelotti on the right of defence, but his performance in Galicia left many of the question marks from his critics as to whether he is a strong enough option for Real Madrid to compete. Offensively, he looked to be good, involved in play and creating a match-high three chances. It was defensively where he was below the standard, being responsible for the huge amount of space afforded to Williot Svedberg, with Vázquez instead staying wide to mark Hugo Álvarez and leaving a huge gap in the middle. It was the kind of hesitation and indecisiveness which comes from a non-natural full-back with limited minutes in recent months.

Three questions

1. Is this an opportunity for Fran García?

Arguably the biggest surprise from Carlo Ancelotti on Saturday night was the decision to start Fran García ahead of Ferland Mendy at left-back. The full-back operated in a more offensive role than we have seen from him at times, seemingly playing into his strengths and benefitting from him having spent two weeks on the training ground. He was tidy, if not spectacular, completing 95% of his passes, winning three duels from four attempts, and recovering possession six times. He certainly looked more comfortable in the position than Mendy did when he came on with 20 minutes to go. Ancelotti has preferred Mendy for the big occasion over the past season, and the real test of faith could come against Dortmund.

2. Did we see the first real sign of friction from “BMV”?

In one of the flash points of the first half, Jude Bellingham threw his arms up in the air and kicked the turf in front of him in frustration at Vinícius Junior’s decision to shoot, rather than cross, in the kind of act that the Catalan media have been desperately looking for. Unfortunately for them, it came on a night when Vini scored the winning goal and Mbappé scored the opener with a rocket from outside the box. Mbappé’s goal from 0.04 xG was exactly what fans had been hoping for when he signed, while Vinícius led the stats in dribbles (five completed) and duels won (10). Still, there is a point to this debate. Bellingham is doing significant leg work to allow the front two to do their thing, and that means a lot of sacrifice from the England international. This may not be the only time his patience is tested.

3. Should Luka Modrić be starting regularly?

39 years of age and becoming Real Madrid’s oldest ever player as he came off the bench, Luka Modrić turned out to be the hero with a defence-splitting pass which cut Celta Vigo in two and allowed Vinícius in to round Vicente Guaita and score what would turn out to be the winning goal. His involvement off the bench seemed inevitable given that Fede Valverde didn’t return to Spain from South America until late this week due to international duty, but the Croatian made the most of his 27 minutes on the field, recording a 91% pass accuracy, winning two of his three duels and completing his only attempted dribble. While Valverde, Bellingham and Camavinga clearly offer more in terms of stamina and energy, none can match Modrić’s ability to find a defence-splitting pass. That continues to be an ace up Carlo Ancelotti’s sleeve and show Modrić’s value to this squad.