Real Madrid duo raise serious doubts after Albacete disaster | OneFootball

Real Madrid’s 2-3 defeat against Albacete produced no shortage of headlines, but beyond the scoreline and the club-wide crisis, there was another worrying subplot that largely went unnoticed. 

Two of Madrid’s most highly rated young talents, namely, Arda Guler and Franco Mastantuono, delivered performances that raised serious questions about their current trajectory.

Both players arrived with enormous expectations and represented major investments for Real Madrid. 

Yet against Albacete, neither looked close to the level required, and more alarmingly, the feeling is not stagnation but regression.

A difficult night for the Turk

Guler’s situation is beginning to look particularly concerning. 

There is a growing sense inside the club that the responsibility placed on him is simply too heavy at this stage. 

For that matter, the numbers from the Albacete match tell a clear story, as Guler finished the game with a pass completion rate of 87%, the lowest among Madrid’s midfielders. 

In advanced areas, the drop was even sharper, with just 82% accuracy in the final third. 

Franco Mastantuono was very underwhelming against Albacete. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

Even more telling was his involvement. Despite being the designated playmaker, Guler ended the match with only 65 completed passes, which is an extremely low figure for someone expected to run the game. 

Then there is Mastantuono

Mastantuono’s case is different, but equally troubling, as the Argentine knows he is not performing at his best, and that awareness appears to be weighing on him. 

His display against Albacete summed up his recent struggles. Aside from his goal,  his only shot on target, he offered very little. 

He attempted just one other effort and completed only two dribbles across the entire match.

Perhaps the most damaging statistic is his lack of continuity. Mastantuono has played just 172 minutes across the last 15 games. 

He has effectively disappeared from the rotation, and when opportunities do come, instead of seizing them, the performances leave a bitter aftertaste.

Note that both players have dealt with physical issues, limited rhythm, and an unstable team environment. 

However, at this level, talent must translate into influence, and right now, neither player is doing that consistently.