#2 Real’s Experimental Midfield
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With Modric and Casemiro not in the squad for this encounter, Real began the game with the triumvirate of Kroos, James Rodriguez and Mateo Kovacic for the first time this season.
While their superior technical ability allowed them to dominate possession and recycle the ball in continued attacks, they lacked the dynamism that Modric’s presence has always brought to the side.
The ball circulation by Real’s midfielders seemed way too docile and risk-free to bother the Canaries’ well-drilled defense, and they failed to create anything through the jam-packed central areas of the pitch.
While Kovacic attempted a few dribbles, he could not commit enough men on a single occasion to create an opening for the team.
Based on the evidence from this game, Real would need its first-choice midfield to start against the best teams in the world.
