Real Madrid gem unable to lay a stronger claim for prominence with two missed opportunities – Opinion | OneFootball

Having finished the last season on a very strong note, hopes were quite high that Arda Guler would have a more prominent role in this Real Madrid team in the current season.

However, the Turk has been able to play only 29 games this season, starting only 10 matches in total. 3 of these starts have come in the Copa del Rey, and in La Liga, Guler has started only 6 matches. He got another start in the UEFA Champions League tie against Liverpool.

Things got even worse for the attacking midfielder following the turn of the year, as, before last night’s game against Real Betis, he played only 2 appearances in La Liga, playing 14 minutes against Las Palmas and 17 minutes against Real Valladolid.

However, the dearth of midfield options in the last two games allowed Carlo Ancelotti to give him greater prominence, as he started the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final against Real Sociedad, and played another 31 minutes against Real Betis last night.

These two games were good opportunities for him to showcase his talents and prove to his coach and the fans that he can prove to be a highly useful player for the team.

Unluckily, the Turk was unable to play at a level that would have allowed him to get greater prominence in a team where he would have to compete with Rodrygo Goes for minutes.

Against Real Sociedad, Sofascore statistics note that he got on the ball only 42 times, and made some good contributions in the build-up. He completed 21 of his 26 attempted passes, and thus had a rather average passing success rate of 81%. He also provided 1 key pass, completed 1 of his 3 attempted crosses, and 1 of his 3 attempted long balls.

He also took only 1 shot, which went off target, despite remaining on the pitch for 84 minutes. Guler won 2 of his 4 ground duels and 3 of his 6 aerial duels in that game.

Similarly, he played another 31 minutes in the league game against Real Betis. In this game, he was much more active, as he got on the ball 34 times, and his passing was also better, as he completed 24 of his 26 passes, registering a 92% success rate. He also completed 2 of his 2 attempted long balls.

However, he could not take any shots at goal, and the only chance he got to do so was closed down early by rushing defenders.

Thus, Guler was unable to make the most of these two chances that he got. He might get another chance to get on the pitch in the upcoming game against Atletico Madrid, but after that, game time will once again be scarce as Jude Bellingham will have served his suspensions and will be ready to get his starting spot back at Real Madrid.