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Nine games in 33 days configure the December cost of Madrid, with alleged steep slopes and plains. Today he aims at the latter, but the shots were also there against Shakhtar and Cádiz, the two teams that this season have won in Valdebebas, and the rotations were a downfall (follow the game live on AS.com). In fact, Alavés bears a reasonable resemblance to Álvaro Cervera's team: they are the two teams that flee the most from the ball (both at the tail in possession), those that fewer passes add up and of those who play the longest. A direct football, with a northern air, the kind that make Madrid uncomfortable, and with two Galician strikers who are very good at percussion. Fast, sharp and left-handed Lucas Pérez. Portly, timely and skilled Joselu, the soccer player who most disputes wins in the championship.
Two threats at another critical time for Madrid's defense. Yesterday Carvajal fell, who had just returned, Odriozola and Ramos and Militao are still out just completed two trainings with the group after overcoming the COVID. Three of the five most loaded players in the squad are defenders, a product of so much mishap, and Zidane will not be able to alleviate it too. Paint that Lucas Vazquez He will once again be a right back, a role in which he already has more games than a winger, and that Nacho and Varane will have to repeat. On the left everything points to Marcelo, which weighs very little on the computer. Of his five games this season, four were at home and against smaller rivals. Last year that balance was more balanced.
Odegaard, blank
Also paints that Modric will rest. At the age of 35, this would be his eighth consecutive game and his fifth complete, including those played with Madrid and his national team. So it seems time to Odegaard, who until now is a marginal player. He missed six games due to injury, he has not played any complete game, he has only started four times and he has neither scored nor assisted. Last season he played every minute of the first eleven games with Real Sociedad and closed the season with a great balance seven goals and nine assists. Casemiro and Kroos will accompany you.
It also seems time to Asensio, another that has the counter at zero this campaign. The delay of the end of the last League due to the pandemic allowed him to play the last nine days. Scored three goals and gave an assist, but it has stopped again. He played five minutes against Villarreal and was left blank against Inter. He presents a curious record: he shoots six more times on goal, gives 15 more passes per game and recovers almost twice as many balls in the Champions League than in the League. The matter opens an avenue of investigation. With him will be Hazard, who asks for time to be who he was, and MarianoAlthough Rodrygo, author of two goals against Inter and with little prominence this season, cannot be ruled out: of his nine games, only one has played more than 45 minutes in one.
Four games without losing
Alavés arrives at its best. They have not lost in the last four games and drew a draw from Barça and another from Valencia. So what the beginning was terrifying, with a single victory in the first four days, that yes with worse results than sensations. He has managed to make a squad without investing in signings. Five assignments, four repeats and Jota Peleteiro, who came free, to try to overcome the general crisis. East, canterano of Madrid, He has put a bit of pause in his direct game. Still, the team lives off the long ball and of the strategy, what has given him 44% of the goals, more than anyone else in LaLiga. The data is relevant because Madrid have conceded half of their goals from set pieces.
Machín has already caught the air of the team. A celebrity in Girona, he played in Seville and Espanyol and rebuilds his career as a well-armed team that arrives in Madrid without notable casualties. Missing, due to their positives in COVID, Manu García and Burgui, plus the injured Pere Pons. And he returns, after serving a sanction, Edgar, who will occupy the place of Luis Rioja. It will be the only change with respect to the eleven that tied in Valencia. Madrid's fatigue is on their side.