4 Ways Real Madrid could line up against AFC Ajax

4 Ways Real Madrid could line up against AFC Ajax

February 11, 2019 by Fambeat in Football, Sports

This time of the year has always been special for Real Madrid C.F. The Los Blancos have completely dominated the UEFA Champions League for the past 5 years. They have won the prestigious title four times. The Round of 16 matches set to be played mid-week. Here we look at four possible ways which Santiago Solari can consider to manage the attack and midfield well.

1. Conventional 4-3-3

The trio of Vincius, Benzema and Vasquez has been the most successful and promising so far. The 18-year-old Brazilian gets a lot of possession which, combined with his brutal pace and immense dribbling skill set scared the crap out of Barca and Atletico Madrid’s defenders. This attacking trio is most likely to start on Wednesday.

2. 4-3-3 with Bale on the right flank

Out of the three forwards mentioned above, it’s difficult to question anyone’s place apart from Lucas Vasquez. Although the 27-year-old Spaniard can supply some vital crosses from the right side, his shooting skills and Ariel abilities might make way for Gareth Bale. The Welshman has just returned from injury but has a lot of experience in leading the attack from the right-hand side. He can cut inside to curl some shots inside as well as prove to be a serious threat from the set pieces.

3. 4-2-1-3 with Asensio/Isco as a CAM

Asensio has been out of form and injury prone this season. Whereas Isco has hardly stepped on the field under Solari. But nothing can take away the quality and potential that these two Spanish players showcase. Isco has already shown the threat that he possesses when he starts just behind the attacking line. With the likes of Luka Modric already in the midfield, these two can create chances and provide assists for fun. But the chances of such an experiment and the competition which has always been the number one priority for the Los Blancos look quite dim.

4. 4-4-2 with two strikers and two DM’s

At the same time of the year last season, Zinedine Zidane was forced to play with such a line-up when Modric and Kross were injured. So, Kovacic, alongside Casemiro handled the duties of a CDM and the attack was led by Ronaldo and Benzema upfront with Asensio on the left and Lucas Vasquez on the right. Unexpectedly, this bizarre move turned out to be a master-stroke as the team suddenly looked very sharp in the front 4 and scored a lot of goals.

The same formation can be re-created using the young and talented prospect Marcos Llorente with Bale teaming up alongside Benzema and Vinicus, Vasquez on left and right flanks respectively. But this would mean the experienced legs of Kross and Modric on the bench which is again, quite infeasible.

Most Probable Line-Up

Keylor Navas(G.K.), Sergio Ramos(c), Raphael Varane, Carvajal, Marcelo, Kroos, Casemiro, Modric, Vinicius Jr., Benzema, Lucas Vasquez.