Limited passing output and costly mistakes expose the weaknesses of Madrid’s central midfield, putting alternative combinations under the spotlight.
Real Madrid's victory in the Italian capital can be interpreted in several ways. It was not just about a comeback or the competitive spirit associated with the club's history. The midfield deployed by José Mourinho failed during a first half that, under different circumstances, could have left the team facing yet another European elimination.
The Real Madrid camp is beginning to draw conclusions from the comeback in Rome. José Mourinho's side won 4-3 in the Italian capital, strengthening their position among the top eight teams in the Champions League standings. It was a match full of twists and turns, with the midfield coming under particular scrutiny. Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni delivered their poorest combined performance in a long time.
The statistics are straightforward. During the first half, neither of the two central midfielders selected by Mourinho managed to complete more than 19 passes. That was precisely the number of passes completed by Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois during the opening 45 minutes in Rome. The figure highlights the team's shortcomings in that area of the pitch and the number of mistakes being made by a partnership that appears to be struggling more with every passing game.
Aurélien Tchouaméni completed just 17 passes in the first half, while Federico Valverde managed only 16 over the opening 45 minutes. The French midfielder was also at fault for Roma's opening goal, as a misplaced pass led to Marten de Roon scoring at the end of the transition. Mourinho's second-half substitutions helped the team regain some stability in midfield.
The lack of passing from Real Madrid's two central midfielders was addressed by the introductions of Arda Güler and Bernardo Silva. The impact was such that the team not only won but also managed to enjoy more possession than Roma. The comeback ultimately concealed a collective collapse that was rescued largely by the substitutes.
“I have my opinion, and your job is to discuss what we need and what we don't. With the players we have in the squad, we give everything, and we are elite players with different characteristics. The important thing is to work as a team in midfield and help win matches. The most important thing is to talk about tomorrow's game. You should ask the coach or the president that question,” Aurélien Tchouaméni said before the match. As mentioned, this is far from the first time the partnership has come under scrutiny.
This is certainly not the first time Real Madrid fans have questioned whether Aurélien Tchouaméni and Federico Valverde should form the team's central midfield partnership. The statistics from Mourinho's latest match have reignited the debate over how the midfield should be set up. Players such as Bernardo Silva, Eduardo Camavinga, Arda Güler and Thiago Pitarch are still waiting for their chance to feature in that role in the most important games. Sunday's clash with Sevilla will provide another test of whether this is the midfield Mourinho should deploy at Camp Nou on October 25.
