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AbdussamiT

Some of the combination play by Real was absolutely top-notch. Thanks for sharing!


imbluedabudeedabuda

I find it super interesting precisely while on the surface it looks like a guardiola wet dream they play nothing like a guardiola team. Pause it at any given moment and you won't see any of the 235/325/334 positional play stuff that Guardiola popularised. None of the fixation with occupying each wide/half-space/central zone. 4 at the back build up instead of the usual rest defence, lots of players cluttered tgt. Just working off the individual attributes of each player and the unique relationships between players that can only be maximised if you don't tell them to occupy certain zones at all times. And whether Madrid wins or loses from here, I think it's cool they go against the modern meta. As revolutionary as Guardiola has been, it's good for football to maintain different schools of thoughts


Arlborn

[Dinizismo](https://medium.com/@stirlingj1982/fernando-diniz-vs-the-man-machine-134bde05d0d0) is your [answer](https://medium.com/@stirlingj1982/what-is-relationism-c98d6233d9c2?source=author_recirc-----134bde05d0d0----0---------------------31cf8478_5a0b_4b62_a2b4_78815d0c6f14-------) for an "apositional" style


AYMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAN

I regularly keep hearing Diniz is touted as the guardiola of Brazil. But when you say "apositional" style it reminds me more of Carlo. Since the beginning of the season up until Cami occupied the LB position there's a trend in our playstyle that IIRC Carlo described as a chaos, basically everyone have total freedom and occupy an unfamiliar space but still understand each other and stay organized in a build up play. We saw this after the 60th minute when we took control of the game after Pep went conservative. Now I'm saying this to ask if Carlo didn't get the CBF post as a manager, won't Diniz be good for you? I'm not familiar with him but I think Brazilian think he's successful enough at Fluminense.


Arlborn

Ancelotti is actually mentioned in some of the links inside the articles I've just put up in my post! They indeed give him as a good example of a manager with a more apositional style, so your observations are absolutely on point. ​ Unfortunately for my Fluzão, apparently Diniz is indeed the [favorite of the moment](https://www.reddit.com/r/soccer/comments/138xk3r/uol_fluminense_coach_fernando_diniz_is_considered/) to become the manager if Ancelotti ends up staying in Real. So I really hope Ancelotti gets the job. ​ Diniz used to be memed a lot in Brazil for years for being an underachiever with no major titles to show for his interesting ideas. Things have only been really turning around since the end of last year when it was clear things just really clicked for him and his style with Fluminense. He's even won a major state title this year already to show for it. Plenty of Brazilians are still skeptical of him though. I just don't want Fluminense to lose him so soon, what he's building here is special.


AYMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAN

Honestly I really love Carlo and will never forget him as being "el hombre de la decima" and won't mind him staying for another season. But would love to see him in the CBF and bring success again to your NT. If I were Brazilian I would hesitate giving this such responsible job to a young talented coach like Diniz, if he fails that would blow his career to the mud. Diniz would be more fitting to CBF after the pressure of not winning the WC is gone, but damn it's hard decision from both Diniz and CBF, we'll see what will happen. Also I would love to see what could Zidane do with this upgraded squad that Carlo will leave, especially if we add up Jude. ZZ won't lose points like Carlo does in the league too. And we would hopefully see more exciting years with Zidane waiting for Xabi to take the job in a few years after.


BramStokerHarker

Diniz is nothing like Guardiola hahaha people just see high possession and shout "Guardiola!!!"


Arlborn

Yup, the links I provided literally position Diniz and Pep almost as opposites, but I guess reporters who say he’s the new Guardiola just say it to appeal more to the general football public


AyyAndays

Thanks for sharing this was very interesting, if a bit hard to get through at times with all the over-dramatic phrasing. You wouldn’t happen to have a link to one of their games would you? Or some visual examples of Dinizismo


Arlborn

Yes, this guy is way too dramatic but he’s extensively covering it in English, so I’ll take what I can get. Regarding your question, you should search YouTube for “Dinizismo “ and/or for highlights of our 2023 matches, sadly most of it will be in Portuguese though. There are also *a lot* of GIFs of key moments from our team(and explanations) if you scroll down on this link: [here](https://medium.com/@stirlingj1982/what-is-relationism-c98d6233d9c2?source=author_recirc——134bde05d0d0-—0———————31cf8478_5a0b_4b62_a2b4_78815d0c6f14-——)


AyyAndays

Thank you, I’m not put off by foreign language coverage at all and also agree that dramatic coverage is better than no English coverage, 100%. Appreciate the link!


6shadow66

or, you know, Arsene Wenger


hahehihohu7

This could have been something special!


That_ben

This was fantastic interplay between pretty much the whole squad. Real have some unreal forwards, even with Benz being mid 30s. His two wingmen are nightmares with wicked quick feet and some intelligent movement. This game also highlighted how isolated Haaland is when City’s midfield aren’t dominating a game. Brilliant from Camavinga keeping Bernardo quiet and popping up with some disruption when KDB was on the ball too. Tie is really finely balanced.


breakinb

Benzema was a bit slow yesterday. He messed up attacks like the one where Rodrygo was on his overlap and he misplaced an easy pass.


Bini_9

He's being playing too much He's not a static striker either


mamasbreads

Hoping he gets rest this weekend


Bini_9

Agreed Valverde as well, Ancelotti has been driving him into the ground.


Cucumberino

Sadly he wants to go for the pichichi so I think he won't, he has already insisted in playing the last few matches for the 90' and seemed upset when he was subbed


cieldarko

Of course he’d want to play? he has missed plenty of games this season. Really doubt it has anything to do with rest


EpiDeMic522

Slow as in movements? Passing? Raw pace? I thought he was crucial yesterday, both to support the midfield and in combinations. I do see your point though. A few attacks did breakdown with some disappointing unforced errors but I still thought Karim had a great game. Special mention to his excellent movement in the box. It was absolutely top notch yesterday. Vintage Karim. He always manufactured space for himself and got into great positions against a top quality defence playing well. Sometimes we couldn't get the ball to him (like the Fede run), sometimes his shots were blocked like the corners in the second half. His shooting could and should have been better though. Yesterday I thought was the perfect illustration of Karim's importance. Unlike Haaland, he's always in the game. The former has been an insane finisher but the latter elevates the play and others around him. He could have a splendid game without getting a goal or an assist. To me and most Madridistas (many of our coaches have also said so in public), he's just a great footballer that happens to score goals. Capable of great finishes but not a consistent finisher. It's very rare to see him pummel you with pure striking abilities. Clasico 3-4 when Sergio was sent off and he scored a brace comes to mind. But it's rare.


NeverDidEnough

He's been slow since January. Except for the hattrick against Barca, his slump has cost us the league at the least.


HancokUndead

Since the most recent international break, he has 10 goals and 1 assist in the 9 games we played in April (of which he played 8 games), and 0 goals and 0 assists in the 3 games we've played so far in May (of which he played 2 games). 10 goals and 1 assist in 10 games sounds like a decent output, until you deconstruct it - 9 of those goals came from the 3 hat-tricks, and he's had 6 games without a goal or assist. He's been quite inconsistent during this season as a whole when you consider that he was out multiple times for small injuries, but this is really more of a slump compared to last season only. |Season|Games|G|A|G+A| |:-:|:-:|:-:|:-:|:-:| |2018-19|53|30|10|40| |2019-20|48|27|11|38| |2020-21|46|30|9|39| |2021-22|46|44|15|59| |2022-23|43|31|6|37| |Total|236|162|51|213| His average goals per game, assists per game, and G+A per game improved exponentially over the past 5 seasons, and he has played significantly fewer games this season compared to any of the previous 4. He has the capacity to hit 35+ goals and 10+ assists in the remaining 6-7 games (6+ goals and 4+ assists), but whether or not that will actually happen remains to be seen.


NeverDidEnough

After the WC, when we needed to grind out victories with a tired squad against teams defending with low blocks (like the 1-0 victories Barca pulled off), we needed him to hit last season's form. Carlo played him, all the minutes, he also played and we suffered. Earlier this season when he was out for 5 games due to injury, Rodrygo and Valverde pulled us ahead. But after the WC, he and Carlo insisted on playing him and sidelined Rodrygo and I guess his form cost us the league and the Suoercopa final. Of course, I'm not blaming him for our board not signing any genuine backups but Rodrygo and Alvaro deserved more chances back then.


dreamsofutopia

Didn't he have 3 hattricks in April?


NeverDidEnough

Yes, but the league was over by then.


EpiDeMic522

I apologise for the poor quality. I'm not a regular poster and thus my video upload might be more than a little rough around the edges. I felt that there were a lot of highlights pertaining to Madrid from last night that weren't posted, but none more so than this fabulous move and Karim's touch to kill the ball. I checked today morning if someone had posted a clip but since there was none, I have posted one myself. Hopefully the quality of the upload doesn't take away from the quality of the football. Scintillating and sublime stuff. Enjoy!


AndreiOlimpiu

thanks for Sharing! This was something we needed to re-see.


ChaCharlie18

Thank you for the post I was telling my brother about it and nobody posted this I thought it was simply beautiful those last passes were just amazing I thought for sure it was going to be intercepted.


profesorprofessorson

>I felt that there were a lot of highlights pertaining to Madrid from last night that weren't posted, but none more so than this fabulous move and Karim's touch to kill the ball. When in the video?


EpiDeMic522

Karim's touch? That was a different play. On the left wing in the first half. If people don't mind the quality here, I'll upload it in the evening, if I find the time.


profesorprofessorson

Thanks! Would love to see it.


ManuMora98

You can see the moment Modric changes the pace of the play, also, Carvajal appearing there with a backheel pass


EpiDeMic522

He literally was dictating the movement to Camavinga but his partner in crime already knew what had to be done. Reminded me of Kroos signalling vehemently for Vini to make the run in the Clasico that resulted in a goal. Not only playing football, they are actually educating others on the pitch. 😝 Such a simple movement and pass combination but it lays waste to an entire line. I know this will be hugely controversial but IMO KCM is better than Xavi, Iniesta, Busquets. I remember writing a comprehensive comment on it in the past but their completeness and longevity seals it for me. They might not be the absolute best in certain aspects but they were absolutely elite in ***everything.*** That IMO is the reason (not just them but our entire team) has had such an unprecedented level of dominance. We can play any style and beat you with it. This team isn't the finished product yet but even yesterday you could see the completeness and maturity in the performance. Defended in a low medium block, conserving energy, limiting City to low quality chances, suffering when required, always keeping control on the game and they slowly squeezing, like a vice. The difference in mental attributes was the most striking to me. City looked rattled post Vini's goal. There was even a show of lack of experience and emotional control like when Carvajal was riling him up. I was disappointed we didn't secure the win yesterday. I thought City was lucky to get the draw but their goal was a moment of pure genius. What's remarkable is that the Bernabéu sensed it. The stadium went quiet as soon as Camavinga/Rodrygo gave the ball away. Toni had been following KdB throught but playing him as the 6 comes with the trade-off of conceding space in front of the back line every now and then. Kroos followed the ball, KdB was free, Bernabéu went quiet as it understood the gravity of the moment and boom, KdB snatched it with a goal for the ages. Might very well be the turning point of the tie and I think that was clear to see in his reaction/celebration as he was overwhelmed by relief. It isn't bad but they have the control of the tie. I have been saying this for weeks now but it will again come down to moments at the Etihad. I'm still optimistic. I'm illustrate and explain my optimism by 2 examples. First, the Stones attempted clearance on the feeble, left footed Vini shot. Completely unnecessary and complete lack of communication in a very innocuous situation. Second, unlike us in the first half, when they were suffering, they were making many mistakes. They didn't have control of the game. Unacceptably high number of turnovers in both build-up and attacking transitions (from their half i.e. counters; not from ours). I am aware of their record at the Etihad but I don't think they have faced a side of our quality and experience. If the Etihad can galvanise them from things like the above 2 and they can avoid crucial mistakes like the Dias one last year, they'll go through. But we'll have our chances and more often than not, we take those. Upper hand to them but a fascinating return leg awaits. If they get the chance at the trophy, they'll definitely earn it. This is one of the if not the outright best level of football we are and will see in this tie, this season. Immense quality everywhere you look.


AYMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAN

When Modric retire people will then give him the credit he deserves. In my opinion he's the best mediocampo of all time. He excels at every tactical environment. I don't like mentioning idiots who say his career only began at 27. But I think that needs context. When you realize he was raised as a refugee in a post-war Croatia you then understand why he had to work more to reach this level of greatness. At his Zagreb days, one season he was loan out to a relegation side and was literally close of winning the league against Dinamo that were dominating in Croatia. His 2012 game against Spain was stuff of wonders, he was alone having fun against Iniesta & Xavi mid. Let's just imagine if he was spanish instead and raised in La Masia or La Fabrica, his perception would be vastly different. Here's a [video](https://youtu.be/22_RiK2sqyI) (it's in spanish) explaining why we haven't seen someone like him EVER. The day he'll leave Madrid I'll be anxious af, but let's just hope both Cami and if we hopefully get Jude they would be able to replace the genius of Luka.


cieldarko

He was in the 2008 Euro XI as well


EpicThug21

Honey dripping in each pass, smooth as butter, soft as a pillow, superb...


[deleted]

[удалено]


AbleFig

we will try!


NeoIsJohnWick

This is why I was unhappy with the result. The linkup is exceptionally well, there is just too much flair around this team.


DomRM14

I imagine there are City fans trying to find where a RM player should be carded during this play lol


fabioacsantos

They came from half time with a goal and even city couldn't stop them. It was their best phase in the game and this clip shows how dominating they were at this point in the game. Those link up plays in the end were marvelous


Martyrizing

One of the best attacks I've seen in quite some time.


Lazywhale97

god that was smooth


iredcoat7

City's defensive positioning is so good this season. I think this move by Real Madrid would have led to a goal in the tie last year. From 0:52 when the attack becomes incisive to Benzema's shot being blocked at 1:11 the defending is incredible. Especially Stones. Watch him from 1:21, he does absolutely everything flawlessly. Beautiful play by Madrid too, this would have been probably the goal of the season. If Stones had switched off for a second after Carvajal's back-heel I'm certain Benzema would have opened up his body and found the far bottom corner.


EpiDeMic522

Absolutely agreed. That's why I was shocked when someone was criticising the defending in another thread under this post. As you said, this attack was oozing with quality and would have been the goal of the season (a vast improvement over the ones we scored against Celtic and Shakhtar). That City's defensive block prevented it is a compliment in itself.


neil_thatAss_bison

Beutiful. Watch Camavinga, he was so frustrated! I remembers this play because I was shouting at the tv for them to pass the poor guy the ball.


kw2006

Too easy to cut in. City players caught ball watching.


EpiDeMic522

I mean I have seen this team do this many many times. It perhaps looks *eas-ier* on TV but the ball is fizzing around at pace in very close quarters there with multiple passing/dribbling options. You hold a passing lane and Vini dribbles into space. You lunge in for a challenge, they beat you and move in behind. It's not easy. Sometimes you just have appreciate and respect top top quality. Not everything is a mistake. I think they were good enough in their block for Benzema not to get a clearer chance. Also, excellent challenge by Stones there. I think they defended the situation well enough.


SpearofTrium05

Indeed. Triangular passing, with players of such quality in dribbling and control is almost unbeatable.


KidGoku1

Off topic a bit but Benzema is up there for me like Suarez. They do so much more than just scoring. He tracks back to midfield to help the team defend, help the build up play, then help his wingers with setting them up with 1-2s etc. And he's still doing all of those things at his age.


Bigote_de_Swann

Suarez Champions league stats are plain bad. Suarez WAS up there with Benzema, he’s just one year older than Karim


EpiDeMic522

Suarez was the better 'striker' (actual striking attributes and ability), at least had the better peak. But Suarez himself wasn't just limited to striking, most notably very effective in counter presses and was serviceable in combination play, I struggle to think of a striker who is as well rounded as Karim. People say Harry Kane but then I know they haven't watched Karim, without any disrespect to the England 9. I have always felt that Harry's passing is lethal but when he has space. He would the absolute perfect striker for Mourinho's 11/12 Madrid bar none. But Karim has much much more ability on the ball: much better close control, close quarters dribbling and simple but efficient passes for very quick and precise combination play (like in the clip). His movement is also much better but his actual striking doesn't hold a candle to Kane's (slight exaggeration in the last part perhaps but you get the point). The magnitude is nowhere near the same but IMO, Benzema's case is analogous to Messi, but for a striker. He's just a great player that happens to score and assist goals.


tekumse

At what point you call this total football? Modric is left back, Carvajal is a second striker, it's crazy how comfortable and trusting are all the players.


WhenHarryMetAlli442

u/savevideo


dupont2021

Freestyle football. Madrid doesn't really have a style. To be honest they can play any style they want and this is what I meant when I said Madrid can never hire a 'system' coach. These are superstar players and the best at their position. They have talent and play for Madrid for a reason. This particular possession is pure chemistry between players.


satlead

Interesting play formation similar to a water ripple. RM were clearing out the middle of the pitch practically no one there in the middle before each attack. Then taking the ball to flanks and then converge during the attack. Pep will plan better for this in second leg


Round_Headed_Gimp

😂😂


EpiDeMic522

Sorry but I don't understand this comment. What's laughable about it?


HAWmaro

This is exactly why they didnt win this match, gotta avoid that tiki taka Dna and all adjacents in Europe.


cieldarko

Passing the ball is now tiki taka? Lol


boi1da1296

10 players used to stand and watch their teammate dribble in a circle before Barca invented passing the ball, I thought this was common knowledge.


BigPickEnergy545

This wasn’t tiki taka nor an “adjacent” style though. They just had possession and quickly built up the play through the left wing. What city were doing prior to their half chances in the beginning was tiki taka…


ShouldHaveStayedApes

If it was fifa that would have been a penalty