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Arda Guler impressed coach Xabi Alonso. |
Making his first start under Xabi Alonso against Pachuca, the Turkish midfielder immediately made his mark – not just with a goal, but with a silent statement: he deserves to be trusted, to play, and to be the focal point of a transforming Real Madrid.
A face changes because of belief.
“He needs to be close to the ball. The more he touches it, the better he gets,” Xabi Alonso said before the match against Pachuca, and those words weren't empty rhetoric. In a Real Madrid undergoing a rebuilding process, Alonso made no secret of his intention to restructure the midfield with different pieces. And Guler, who had languished on the bench under Ancelotti, suddenly became the centerpiece of an ambitious system.
Tchouameni was assigned the role of intercepting passes, while Guler – wearing the number 15 shirt – received instructions to "penetrate" the opponent's defense: when playing as a number 8, he was to organize play; when playing as a number 10, he was to create chances and make breakthroughs between the lines. Above all, Alonso wanted Guler to play football according to his own instincts – freely, boldly, and without fear of making mistakes.
The most valuable aspect of Real Madrid's 3-1 victory over Pachuca on the morning of June 23rd wasn't the score, but the way Real Madrid played with only 10 men on the field. After the early red card, they didn't panic. On the contrary, Guler became more confident as the game progressed, becoming more dangerous with each touch. He dictated the tempo, linking up with Gonzalo and Valverde, stretching the opposing defense with intelligent movement and graceful ball control.
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Arda Guler scored in Real Madrid's 3-1 victory over Pachuca. |
The goal that made it 2-0 was the culmination of a smoothly functioning system – starting with Vinicius, through Trent, and then Gonzalo – who, with a gentle touch, "unlocked" Guler's run into the second line. His low right-footed shot into the far corner was a testament to a player ready for a leading role.
The Silent Revolution
What transformed a lackluster Guler from last season into a explosive force in the recent match? The answer lies with Xabi Alonso – not only a coach, but also someone who understands the value of being trusted. In his tactical system, each player has a clear role and fits their own identity. Valverde's shift to the right wing didn't weaken him; on the contrary, it balanced the team and opened up space for Guler to operate in the center.
And Guler did not disappoint. Besides scoring goals, he also brought something that Real Madrid had long lacked: a player who played with intelligence, inspiration, and the flair of a new maestro.
Of course, one match isn't enough to define an entire season, but for Guler, it's the first step on his journey to reclaim his lost status. He once quietly lived in the shadow of Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, and other legends who were too great. But now, as the old generation is fading away and a new era is dawning, the Turkish player has every right to hope.
In a tournament where Real Madrid made no secret of their ambition to win, Guler's brilliance was a valuable discovery. He not only repaid the trust placed in him, but also opened a door – a place where the Royal team's style of play could begin from his own feet.
Arda Guler is smiling again. And so is Real Madrid.
Source: https://znews.vn/guler-buoc-ra-tu-bong-toi-post1562954.html
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