3 reasons why Santiago Solari might not last the season as Real Madrid's manager

Modified Mar 03, 2019 13:05 GMT

#2 Not experimenting with a new formation

Real have played with a 4-3-3 formation in almost all the matches this season, and Solari has not experimented with a new one in spite of not getting the desired results. Their defensive frailties were exposed by a top attacking team like Barcelona, and yet Solari did not try the 4-2-3-1 formation for a change.

Playing Casemiro and Federico Valverde as a double pivot would have strengthened their defence somewhat, as it would ensure better cover for their centre-backs. Casemiro is a good tackler and marker, and having Valverde by his side would have allowed him to go for early tackles against the likes of Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez.

It is quite clear that Toni Kroos does not contribute enough defensively, and therefore, he could have been left out of the playing eleven against Barcelona. Instead, Solari went ahead with the midfield combination of Kroos and Luka Modric, and paid the price. He took off Kroos and introduced Valverde in the second half, but the damage was already done by then.

Playing Valverde and Casemiro as defensive midfielders would also have allowed Modric to go into attacks frequently and also play timely passes to the wingers Vinicius and Lucas Vazquez. Kroos is a very good passer, but does not quite retain possession as much as he should while playing in a 4-3-3 formation.

About the author

Subhadeep, an adept tennis journalist at Sportskeeda, has been writing about the sport for seven years. He is known for his exclusive match reviews and opinion pieces, utilizing his MBA degree to tackle them effectively with his problem-solving abilities.

Subhadeep lives and breathes tennis. He watches matches regularly and engages in social media platforms to stay on top of the latest happenings. As a writer, he brings the fan's perspective to his pieces, ensuring his readers enjoy an exceptional experience every time.

Growing up, he idolized Boris Becker, but he now firmly believes Novak Djokovic stands alone as the 'Greatest of all Time', especially considering the 24-time Grand Slam champion's incredible stats. One thing that still puzzles Subhadeep, however, is how Becker's Wimbledon tally might have reached five if not for Pete Sampras.

Speaking of the All England Club, the British Major holds a special place in his heart as he admires its blend of tradition and grass-court excellence. When not working for Sportskeeda, Subhadeep delves into the other "love of his life": football, and enjoys contributing his insights to different websites dedicated to the sport.

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Edited by Sai Krishna