Real Madrid’s pre-season preparations include a strong focus on set-pieces and penalty takers. With new roles assigned and a talented roster, the team is gearing up for the upcoming season.
Carlo Ancelotti has decided that Vinícius Junior will be the main penalty taker for Real Madrid this season. David Alaba, renowned for his left foot and precise touch, seemed to be the go-to free-kick taker, but his current injury status calls for alternative solutions. With the arrival of Kylian Mbappé, Real Madrid believes it has resolved its direct free-kick concerns and the Frenchman is set to be the main free-kick taker for Los Blancos.
🚨 NEW: Kylian Mbappé is set to be Real Madrid's main FREE-KICK taker this season. @marca pic.twitter.com/OpsS83b0wp
— Madrid Zone (@theMadridZone) August 6, 2024
For set-pieces far from the opposition penalty box, Real Madrid has identified five players: Arda Güler, Luka Modrić, Fede Valverde, Jude Bellingham, and David Alaba. Arda Güler, demonstrated pin-point crossing accuracy by providing two assists at Euro 2024, while Luka Modrić remains a trusted option for orchestrating set-piece plays.
Fede Valverde and Jude Bellingham, both starters with powerful shooting, are also in contention for set-piece duties. However, Ancelotti prefers to keep Valverde at the edge of the box for his long-range shooting and defensive capabilities during counter-attacks. Bellingham’s intelligence in positioning and movement makes him valuable inside the box for second plays.
Meanwhile, it has been revealed that Real Madrid attempted to recruit Tottenham’s Christian Romero but the move was thwarted as the Spurs refused to negotiate.
As Los Blancos prepare for their latest friendly against Chelsea on US soil later today, they aim to bounce back from previous losses to Milan and Barcelona. Real Madrid’s first competitive match of the 2024/25 season is against Atalanta in the UEFA Super Cup on August 14th.