Impressive numbers mean little as Real Madrid youngster struggled against Leganes | OneFootball

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti made some significant changes to his lineup against Leganes, giving Arda Guler his first start since 6 January.

Fans were eager to see the young talent back in action after such a long spell on the sidelines.

Interestingly, during the first half, Guler found himself in a challenging position. Initially deployed on the right wing, he gradually moved to a more central role as the match progressed.

With Aurelien Tchouameni and Luka Modric forming a double pivot in midfield, Rodrygo occupied the left wing, where he has been excelling recently.

This left Guler to adapt within a three-man attacking midfield setup that Ancelotti has experimented with during his second stint at the club.

Failing to make an impact

In the second half, Guler showed more confidence and involvement in the game, seeking to influence Real Madrid’s attacking play.

Arda Guler failed to make an impact against Leganes. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

As the team secured a two-goal lead, their intensity dipped, allowing Leganes to push forward. Guler, still adapting to the physical and tactical demands of top-level football, was one of the players who came under scrutiny from Ancelotti and his coaching staff.

They urged him to apply more defensive pressure and maintain his focus on positional discipline.

Despite the criticism, Guler’s statistics over the 76 minutes he played before being replaced by Dani Ceballos were impressive.

A look at the stats

The youngster had 59 touches, achieved a 93% pass accuracy by completing 38 of 41 attempts, and succeeded in all his dribble attempts.

Additionally, he created two clear chances, completed both long passes attempted, won three duels, and executed every tackle he attempted. Notably, he was the second-highest crosser on the pitch, attempting four crosses, though he did commit two fouls.

While his attacking contributions were undeniable, Guler’s defensive work remains an area for improvement.

Right now, the Turkish youngster has time to refine his game and meet the demanding standards set by Carlo Ancelotti. If he can address these issues, Guler’s potential to become a regular starter for Real Madrid remains promising.