After Real Madrid`s heavy defeat to Barcelona in El Clásico, many believed that the race for the La Liga title was already decided.
With Barcelona six points ahead following that loss, it seemed almost certain that they would go on to win the league with little competition.
However, as the weeks have passed, it`s become clear that the title race is far from over, and Real Madrid is fighting back.
In just a few games, Real Madrid has made a strong return to the race.
After their convincing 3-0 win over Leganés, the gap between Barcelona and Real Madrid is now down to four points.
What`s even more encouraging for the Madrid side is that they have one game in hand.
A win in that postponed match against Valencia, which was delayed due to flooding, could bring them within just a point of Barcelona, keeping them very much in contention for the title.
Beyond the points, one of the main reasons behind Real Madrid’s recent revival is a change in their attacking strategy.
In their recent victory over Leganés, Carlo Ancelotti made a bold decision to exchange the positions of Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Jr, and the results were seen in the field.
Mbappé, who was given the role of Center Forward, was moved to left wing, while Vinícius was moved from his natural position and carried out the attack from a more central position.
This change brought the best out of both the players.
Mbappé scored his first goal in the last five games that he has played, and did what he was supposed to do.
He scored the goal with a beautiful strike, and it was a reminder of his quality and why he’s one of the top players in the world.
On the other hand, Jude Bellingham continued to show his excellent display, scoring for the second match in a row, and Fede Valverde also found the back of the net, contributing to the dominant win.
Ancelotti was pleased that his team had adapted to the changes, stating after the game,
“The team was very solid and focused throughout the match. We changed the positions of the forwards a bit. Mbappé played on the wing, and Vinícius was more in the middle. Vinícius had a great game, and it was his assist that led to the first goal. From there, we were able to control the match and manage the lead.”
The Italian coach also explained why the tactical change was needed and how it worked.
“Mbappé is used to playing on the left wing, and it’s a position he’s comfortable with. Playing wide requires more energy than playing centrally. Vinícius had just returned from an international match on Thursday, so he was a little more fatigued, while Mbappé was fresh and full of energy. His goal, with the help of Vinícius, was a perfect example of their combined quality. Both players are improving, and I think this change will only help them get better.”
This tactical switch could be a turning point for Real Madrid, who have now shown they can challenge Barcelona in the title race.
With a few more adjustments and some continued good form, they could very well narrow the gap even further.
Ancelotti’s ability to adapt and make the most of his squad’s strengths could be the key to Real Madrid’s hopes of catching Barcelona in the coming months.
