Real Madrid are still not convincing during the season and once again showed that some players are well below the expected level last Saturday against Leganés. Real Madrid struggled to beat the side from Leganés at the Bernabéu, conceded two goals, and the full-backs were singled out.
Bad game from Lucas Vázquez and Fran García
Fran García returned to the Real Madrid starting eleven after injury, a necessity for the team after the loss of the squad’s other left back, Ferland Mendy. It seemed like an ideal game for his return, but he didn’t have his best minutes. He was seen to be lacking rhythm, imprecise and with little involvement in the game. In defense he was not as successful as expected either. He was at fault for the first goal, which came from his wing, as he did not know how to gauge the gap left behind him. He left the entire wing for the second line to enter and the move ended with the equalizer, enabling the striker to be caught offside.
Meanwhile, on the other wing, Lucas Vázquez also did not have his best day. He was also imprecise in attack and left gaps in defense that compromised the team. In Leganés’ first goal, he was unlucky not to be able to deflect the ball that ended up at the feet of the Leganés striker to push the ball into an empty net, it went through his legs. And in the second goal (which came after a loss by Brahim) he left his wing completely unprotected, which ended with the pepineros making it 1-2.
A complicated future
The future of Lucas Vázquez does not look good for the Galician footballer. After nine seasons at Real Madrid, the loss of Dani Carvajal gave him a golden opportunity to show that he can maintain the level demanded by a club like Real Madrid, but he is not passing the test. In less demanding matches he usually makes do (he didn’t against Leganés), but in the most demanding games, it seems that Ancelotti is already clear that his full-back will be Fede Valverde until next season.
The signing of Alexander-Arnold doesn’t help either. With Carvajal back for next season and the signing of the Englishman, it seems that Lucas Vázquez has no place in the squad. As a substitute for Carvajal at specific times he could continue to be an option, but the arrival of Arnold makes it very difficult for him to continue.
Add to this the fact that his contract ends this season, and seeing the player’s projection, it is to be expected that he will not renew with the white entity.
A problem on the left
On the left wing things are more complicated for Real Madrid. The club’s initial idea was to sign Alphonso Davies next season, but the player decided to renew his contract with Bayern Munich. And in case there was anyone thinking of getting out the chequebook to sign him, his serious knee injury a week ago rules him out completely.
Real Madrid don’t see a left back who can improve that position. They are happy with the performance of Mendy, especially for defensive work, and they don’t believe there is a player on the market who can improve what they have to make it worth the financial outlay.
The only option being considered is the return of Miguel Gutiérrez, a youth team player now at Girona with an option to buy, but the club does not see him as being able to contribute more than the current squad has.
We will see how the end of the season develops for Real Madrid, but everything indicates that Lucas Vázquez is facing his last games in white, while Fran García seems to have not yet used up all his ammunition, although he has few left.