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I’ve seen a fair bit of Madrid this season, so I wasn’t surprised they were so ruthlessly undressed by Arsenal. They no longer have midfielders able to control a game – or no longer deploy midfielders instructed to control a game – instead kicking about until someone good does something good, or not. That’s enough to win most weeks because the talent is so extreme, but there’s no excuse for the lack of balance and cohesion.
Madrid are also unchanged following last weekend’s win over Celta Vigo. I’m relieved Ancelotti has finally stopped wasting Fede Valverde at right-back – though he may be a better one than this version of Lucas Vazquez, his absence from midfield was more keenly felt, especially in that Arsenal first leg. Otherwise, though, they look extremely vulnerable at the back, shorn of Rudiger, Militao, Mendy, Carvajal and Alaba – against this version of Barcelona, a very significant problem.
