Just yesterday, I was told that Jose Mourinho may switch to a 4-3-3 formation. Well, honestly I don’t really know what the former Inter tactician has in mind but a Barcelona-esque style of play may just not be out of the question. The arrival of new players may have prompted the Special One to change his tactics. Whilst his second season in almost every club he has managed has been better than his first spell, Real Madrid fans should brace themselves for a rollercoaster season whilst FC Barcelona and Europe should be keeping a close eye on the development at the capital club and this suspicious switch to 4-3-3.
As I indicated earlier, the arrivals of new players; Nuri Sahin, Jose Callejon, Hamit Altintop and inevetibaly, Fabio Coentrao and Neymar may have urged Mourinho to have a change in plan. Mourinho is not new to the 4-3-3 formation to start with. During his Chelsea days, a 4-3-3 formation which quickly metarmophosed to a 4-5-1 formation when the team was defending was very much evident. The Portuguese manager started out with a 4-2-3-1 formation at Madrid but in his last few games against Barcelona, a rather defensive 4-3-3 formation was utilized. In fact, Mourinho and Madrid used the 4-2-3-1 on 44 different occasions whilst the 4-3-3 was used in 10 games. In other games, notably the 6-3 mauling of Valencia at the Mestalla in La Liga last season, the attacking intent in a 4-3-3 formation was picturesquely painted. Estaban Granero and Lassana Diarra were the ‘hardmen’ in midfield whilst Sergio Canales was tasked to create chances for the front three; Kaka (2 goals), Benzema (1 goal) and Higuain (3 goals). So, I’ll proceed to discuss which players may play in which position…
Iker Casillas is set to retain his position in goal for the umpteenth time as the Spain and club captain practically has no challenger. The back four may see some changes with respect to the arrival of Benfica superstar, Fabio Coentrao. Jose Mourinho is largely known for utilizing his countrymen, bringing out the best in them, well, apart from Ricardo Quaresma. The 23 year old Fabio Coentrao may slot seamlessly into that left-back position but that means Marcelo will be forced to watch proceedings from the bench. Coentrao is a typical wing-back whilst Marcelo is naturally a winger. None of them is a left-back by trade as they love to join the attack. Pepe and Ricardo Carvalho look set to continue and strengthen the partnership forged last season in central defence. Sergio Ramos was out of form last season and his erratic form and dangerous play culminated in 17 yellow cards and 1 straight red card. I’m looking at a situation where Coentrao may be shifted to right back so that Marcelo maintains that left-back spot albeit this may not really happen.
The problems start in midfield. First, Xabi Alonso is set to maintain his position as a defensive midfielder in the centre of the park. Nuri Sahin is favourite in that left central midfield role. Sahin is a left-footed player who can defend as well as attack. He’ll be preferred to Sami Khedira because Sahin can do whatever Khedira can do and even more. The German has not scored since he joined the Blancos as he’s more comfortable sitting back to read the game but Sahin is more of a defensive playmaker. He scored 6 goals and assisted 8 more from a deep central position for Borussia Dortmund last season. Sahin will also wrestle with Cristiano Ronaldo for “King of Freekick” accolade as taking set-pieces is one of his specialities. That leaves just one spot in right midfield which may be completed by either Mesut Ozil or Angel di Maria. Ozil assisted 25 goals in all competitions last season but his stamina is nothing to write home about and he doesn’t seem interested in defending. Di Mari assisted 20 goals last season whilst his ability to track back to defend means Mourinho will prefer him to the cigarette-smoking Ozil. Again, Coentrao may be shifted into midfield meaning Sahin may move to the right whilst di Maria will have to sit out.
The attack will look an interesting one especially if Neymar were to join Los Merengues. Cristiano Ronaldo will definitely feature on the left hand side of attack meaning either Benzema or Gonzalo Higuain will play as a striker whilst Neymar completes the attacking triumvirate (attack from the right) if only he arrives. Ozil can also attack from the right. Another interesting instance I was observing was playing di Maria and Fabio Coentrao on the left hand side (the former as a left-winger and the latter as a left-back). And with Ronaldo on that left hand side of attack, Real Madrid will look very fearsome down the left hand channel.The trivia here is that di Maria and Fabio Coentrao terrorized right-backs and right wingers during their days at Benfica in Portugal and Mou can dwell on that to play both of them on the left.
In all this, some key names are conspicuously missing; Fernando Gago, Jose Callejon, Hamit Altintopp, Kaka and Lansanna Diarra. The above-listed players will definitely warm the bench with Altintopp the most probable of the quintet to see more playing time.For Fernando Gago and and Lass, I don’t have any hope for them as there are so many quality defensive midfielders at Madrid. Altintopp was a top class defensive midfielder during his days with Schalke 04 in Germany. His rise to stardom waned when he joined Bayern Munich around 2007. On a brighter note, the Turk is an all-round midfielder as he can play in any postion across midfield. Jose Callejon was a youth player at Real Madrid before he was ousted in 2008 but Espanyol has developed him into a relatively matured winger. Very good down the flanks and also tracks back to help out in defence. But as I said earlier, these players will mainly serve as back-up. Real Madrid will be the only club in the world with such strength in depth if they manage to keep all their players and also, all their transfer targets arrive. Ultimately, my dream starting eleven for Real Madrid should look like this….
CASILLAS
RAMOS PEPE CARVALHO COENTRAO
DI MARIA ALONSO SAHIN
OZIL HIGUAIN RONALDO
Finally, I will say that Real Madrid is bringing on all these players and making tactical changes just to make them better than a certain FC Barcelona. Madrid only has Barca to beat and no other team. A victory against the Catalans in the upcoming Supercopa de Espana (Spanish Super Cup) in August will serve as the right tonic for a smooth journey through the 2011/2012 La Liga season which may just see Real Madrid as La Liga Champions and also clinch the ever elusive 10th UEFA Champions League trophy. Hala Madrid!!!
By Emmanuel Ampiah (ampiahee@yahoo.com)
