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Well done.
It was a good victory. Many goals to boost the team’s confidence and now we are in 16th position. We don’t have much chance of reaching the top 8. According to Opta, the probability is 2.9%.
❗️*IF* the UCL league phase ended today, Real Madrid would play either Juventus or Celtic in the playoffs.
Barcelona or Liverpool in the Ro16.
— Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) January 22, 2025
But the coaching staff must not forget that the first 10 minutes were really bad for us. Why is it so difficult for us to recover the ball against many teams?
Being absolutely bullied by a Salzburg team that probably has a combined market value less than Alaba’s salary. This Real Madrid team does not have any cohesive preparation on the training pitch and it blatantly shows it.
-Mehedi Hassan (@MHassanFootball) January 22, 2025
Interestingly, we have problems in the defensive department, which is where Carlo focuses.
“I focused more on defensive work”
In the press conference after the game, Carlo once again said what his objective is:
Like I said, offensively, there’s a lot of creativity. I focused more on the defensive level. I tried to improve the team’s defense, because that is the key to success. I repeat: we will never have problems scoring with Mbappé, Vini, Rodry, Bellingham. So it’s better to focus on defensive work, which is for me where I need to improve.
At the offensive level, we take into account creativity: how the player feels and sees the play. On the defensive level there is no creativity. It’s about being well positioned and trying to defend together, moving together and having the same thought when it comes to pressing high or defending in a low block. It is not an individual quality problem.
It’s really curious why you don’t apply this same reasoning to crime as well. There is collective work on the offensive. Position also matters.
Is Alaba ready?
Carlo was asked when Alaba could start a match.
Alaba is very close to starting a match. Today he played more, 30 minutes. A lot depends on how you feel. For me he is fine, he is training well and I don’t see him in pain at any time. When he tells me “I’m ready,” I’ll start it.
Do you think Alaba is ready for Carlo to start with Asencio?
What does the team need to improve defensively?
We have to be as compact as possible, regardless of whether we are on the low block or pressing high. As I said many times, it is a problem of concentration, sacrifice and commitment. Teams that defend well win.