Real Madrid will no longer use the five-man defense from now – report | OneFootball

Recent reports from Jose Felix Diaz in MARCA reveal a significant tactical shift for Real Madrid as they prepare for upcoming matches against Borussia Dortmund and Barcelona.

The coaching staff has decided to abandon their previous strategy of relying on three defenders and will instead implement a four-defender formation. This change will see Ferland Mendy and Lucas Vazquez taking up the roles of full-backs.

A strategic decision

The main objective of this new approach is to allow each player to focus on their strengths and skills within the framework of the team’s overall strategy.

By assigning clear responsibilities, the coaching staff aims to avoid unnecessary complications on the field.

Aurelien Tchouameni looked uncomfortable against Celta Vigo. (Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images)

This means that there will be two central defenders, and star midfielder Jude Bellingham is expected to return to his preferred position at the top of a diamond formation.

It is said that Carlo Ancelotti and his coaching team have been working to address various challenges posed by injuries and the absence of key players throughout the season.

Need for changes

A recent example of this tactical experimentation occurred during the match against Celta Vigo, where Aurelien Tchouameni was positioned as a third central defender when Real Madrid had possession of the ball.

However, this strategy revealed some weaknesses, as Tchouameni struggled to adapt to this role, indicating that the team needs a more coherent structure to meet its goals.

Jude Bellingham will return to his usual position. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)

While running and physical effort are emphasised as essential duties for every player, the coaching staff stresses that this should not come at the expense of individual talent.

Expectations vs reality

To put things in perspective, in the summer, many anticipated a midfield trio of Eduardo Camavinga, Tchouameni, and Federico Valverde.

However, the reality has shown that Real Madrid performs at its best when Luka Modric is on the field.

Ultimately, though, the team’s performance against strong opponents will be a telling indicator of whether these adjustments yield positive results.