After seven matchdays of LaLiga, Real Madrid fell to fourth place in the table after losing to rival Atlético Madrid, sitting six points behind leaders Barcelona. Previously, Mundo Deportivo published an article analyzing the current competitive state of Real Madrid and Barcelona from multiple perspectives, including tactics, personnel, and transfers.

After seven matchdays, Real Madrid is already six points behind Barcelona in the standings. There is also a significant performance gap between Flick's league leaders and Ancelotti's Real Madrid. Barcelona has received worldwide praise for its excellent competitive performance and several important victories; Real Madrid, on the other hand, has faced strong criticism. Despite another massive investment, its performance remains unconvincing, with its own supporters being the first to express their dissatisfaction.

Setting aside Real Madrid's claims of refereeing errors, invented to divert attention, what truly troubles Real Madrid is Rodri. Following Kroos's retirement in the summer of 2024 and Modric's departure to AC Milan after limited playing time in the 2023-24 season, Real Madrid has lacked a true orchestrator in midfield for two consecutive years. Real Madrid fans almost universally believe the former Manchester City player should have been signed last summer.

Supporters were initially concerned because Florentino's rival, Riquelme, had positioned Rodri as a trump card in his campaign. However, Florentino, who ultimately won reelection as president, still agreed to attempt to sign Rodri. Ancelotti also tried to persuade him with his tactical plans, but after Barcelona intervened, Rodri chose to join Barcelona. As the player himself stated in a recent interview with Mundo Deportivo, he later called Real Madrid's manager to thank him for his interest and treatment, and to inform him of his decision to choose Barcelona.

However, after losing Rodri, Real Madrid did not pursue an alternative but instead put all its solutions into Bernardo Silva, who is not a central orchestrator. The same applies to Güler; both are more attacking midfielders than playmakers. Real Madrid played all four of its away matches, losing two of them—to Real Betis and Atlético Madrid respectively; the other two were victories in stoppage time in the final minutes—against Espanyol and Elche, with Espinosa scoring both goals.

After failing to join Real Madrid, Rodri quickly flourished in Barcelona's shirt. The Madrid-born midfielder, who had already gotten to know nearly half of Barcelona's squad through the national team, quickly found a sense of belonging in the team, becoming the metronome of the side alongside Pedri. At the end of last season, Flick asked the club to add experienced players to all lines, and Rodri's arrival was a godsend.

In just six games, the Madrid-born player became the leader who controls the team's rhythm. He can help the center-backs distribute the ball, find solutions for midfield under pressure, and even drop back to defend, preventing certain goal-scoring opportunities for Barcelona, as happened last weekend at the Pizjuán.

In Madrid, Real Madrid fans are frustrated that the club failed to convince Rodri to join; in Barcelona, he has already become an idol to the Barcelona fans, and the signing is seen as a masterstroke.

Traduzido por IA.

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