How Arbeloa’s tactics against Levante solved Real Madrid’s long-standing midfield problem | OneFootball

Alvaro Arbeloa oversaw his first win as a Real Madrid manager as the team took down Levante by a 2-0 scoreline at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday.

The conditions at the stadium were anything but favourable with the home crowd loudly protesting against the team for their recent performances.

In many ways, the game thus felt like an ‘away’ fixture for the players who battled through it regardless and brought home three vital points in the league title race.

Arbeloa’s game-changing tactics

Arda Guler’s entry changed the course of the game. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

While Real Madrid did eventually win 2-0, the game was not smooth sailing for Los Blancos who did not find the back of the net in the first half. As relayed by MARCA, Arbeloa’s changes made all the difference and solved Real Madrid’s midfield creativity problem.

The team struggled to impose their rhythm in the first-half and suffered with clear disarray and a loss of midfield identity. The midfield could not dominate and left the team struggling for control.

Arbeloa changed the course of the game through his direct tactical intervention in the second-half and his alterations restored the control to Real Madrid.

The most notable change was the introduction of Arda Guler who played a pivotal role in organising the play and made the difference in terms of providing order to the buildup. He even directly contributed to both goals and gave the team an advantage.

The second big change he made was the introduction of Dani Ceballos while moving Aurelien Tchouameni to centre-back, a manoeuvre that gave the team better defensive stability and build-up from the back.

Ceballos’ arrival, thus, indirectly left Levante with less space in front of Thibaut Courtois and reduced their attacking threat.

In this way, the new manager solved Real Madrid’s midfield creativity crisis – something that has plagued the team for months now – through his tactical novelty.