Real Madrid legend points to major midfield issue before Atletico clash: ‘Neither Valverde nor Tchouameni…’ | OneFootball

The Madrid derby is rarely a game that follows the script, and Pedja Mijatovic believes that makes Sunday’s meeting between Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid particularly difficult to assess.

Speaking on El Larguero, the former Real Madrid striker refused to make a strong prediction about the outcome while pointing to the fixture as an important test of where José Mourinho’s side currently stands.

“The derby is always a match where you can’t predict what might happen.”

Mijatovic added, “This match is like a general test of how far we can go.”

The former striker’s comments come as Real Madrid head into the derby in strong need of clarity, particularly over how their midfield functions against Atlético’s intensity.

Mijatovic still sees a creative gap in midfield

Tchouameni lacks the creative spark. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

For Mijatovic, the issue is not just about individual quality, as he believes Real Madrid have yet to replace the specific creative influence they enjoyed for years through Luka Modric and Toni Kroos.

The change in midfield has been significant, with Federico Valverde, Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga offering different strengths. 

Jude Bellingham brings another attacking dimension, while Arda Guler has emerged as one of the squad’s most technically gifted players.

Even so, Mijatovic does not see any of them as the type of midfielder he believes Madrid are missing.

Valverde comes with a same problem. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

“After so many years watching Kroos and Modric, perhaps we’re looking for something similar in other players, and clearly they can’t provide it. 

“I still lack a pure creative player, one who takes responsibility for making the whole team play. 

“Neither Valverde, nor Tchouameni, nor Camavinga are these types of players. 

“Guler has immense quality, but he plays further up the pitch, and Bellingham has a great knack for getting forward, but he’s neither Modric nor Kroos. I’m still missing this type of player,” he concluded.