White smoke: the situation of Real Madrid after the return from the World Cup break - voila! sport

Summary clip of today's events in sport, 12/30 (Sport1)

The unusual World Cup in winter will have many consequences, that's clear.

At Real Madrid, the proud European champion - this has already happened long before, unlike most teams.

Real started the season with a storm as it flirted with breaking records from the 60s, looked in perfect physical condition and beat Barcelona 1:3 in the great Clasico at the Santiago Bernabeu.

If at that stage they feared in Madrid that the break would stop the momentum - on the contrary.

She arrived on time.

While Barcelona, ​​who sent even more representatives to the World Cup, recovered from all the blows including an early elimination from the Champions League, showed hunger and climbed to the top - the Blancos faded.

It is quite possible that the moment when Robert Lewandowski scored a dramatic winning goal in Masatiyah (0:1) will be engraved in the summaries of the season.

During the 3:2 loss to Rayo Vallecano, on a rare occasion, Carlo Ancelotti raised his voice in the dressing room.

Luka Modric was also angry: "We lost in every fight."

The coach was frustrated that the players already had their heads in Qatar and Rodrigo and Fede Valverde even admitted it between the lines.

* Click to purchase the only book of its kind in Israel about Real Madrid - the kings of Europe

came out of his tank.

Ancelotti (Photo: GettyImages)

Real will close its historic and unforgettable 2022, one that its fans will never forget - in an away match against Valladolid tonight (Friday).

President Florentino Peres said as expected of him at Christmas: "It was a particularly exciting year and our challenge is to do it again."

It is hard to believe that Real will repeat the success.

Commentator Albero Benito chose the match against Manchester City in the semi-finals as the peak moment of 2022: "When I see the images of those two minutes I scream again in front of the television. It is a moment that cannot be repeated."

But winning the Spanish Championship is a realistic goal and anything less would be a failure.

All of this depends on how the Blancos manage the marathon of away games that awaits them.

And in general, in the next two months for Ancelotti's apprentices there is a crazy load with 15 potential games and also a flight to the World Club Championship, this is beyond the King's Cup, the Saudi Arabia Super Cup and of course the Champions League.

The 2014-15 season hangs over her in the history books, the one with the 22 consecutive victories until January - which ended without a major title and in a demoralizing way.

Ancelotti was the coach and failed to distribute evidence.

"Real has homework - it has forgotten how to win away," said Spain.

After six wins in the first six games, including the derby - Real only won once in their four games.

After Valladolid, for example, Villarreal will wait for them, which they have not beaten at the La Ceramica Stadium for five years.

Alvaro Morata was the one who scored in that 2:3 in 2017.

And how much Real needs some Morata even today.

A report in 'AS' Gers that the coach asked for a striker in the winter and was answered in the negative.

Ancelotti won't make a drama out of it, but it's a move that could determine the fate of Real's season, which makes a mistake.

In December 2006, for example, a young boy named Gonzalo Higuain joined who later became a legend and his contribution was immediately felt.

The championship was decided by internal meetings and the scenario could repeat itself.

How can Real not get stronger in light of all Karim Benzema's injuries?

Some fans were hoping to see a comeback of Cristiano Ronaldo.

More in Walla!

Virtual reality therapy: a treatment for coping with anxiety

in collaboration with zap doctors

How will he come back?

Benzema (Photo: Reuters)

In the negligible training match against Getafe, the sharp-eyed fans noticed that the striker played without the bandage on his hand, which many believe is used as a talisman and with which he did not stop scoring.

This season the Ballon d'Or winner has already missed nine games due to injuries (not including his early substitution against Celtic) - more than last season.

With only six goals, compared to three times as many at this stage last year, it's time for the striker to wake up and prove that 21-22 was no fluke.

Real is the perfect therapy from the turning of the back by the French team and the World Cup fiasco.

Is Benzema focused on football?

Benzema is not the only senior in the group.

The 37-year-old Modric lived up to his legend with a superb tournament in Qatar but was squeezed to the bone as he played seven games including two overtimes - 650 minutes.

It seems that his return will be gradual.

This is where Antonio Pintos comes into play.

After that rematch against City, Modric entered the dressing room and kissed the bald head of perhaps the most respected fitness coach in Europe and the one who is considered the 12th player.

"The Pintos method" knows how to recite every player, even Antonio Rudiger who is new to the group.

"Every time he sees me, Florentino says - 'We have a tough schedule ahead of us - that the team will function,'" said the 60-year-old Italian who escapes from the media and starts every day with a ten-kilometer run in Valdebas.

"He ascended to the Olympus of sports," was written about him in 'Ace' last week.

"His techniques are enviable. When the bell in Puerta del Sol rings, in Valdebas it will sound like a gunshot."

Eduardo Camabinga was the one who always came off the bench and pushed forward with his physicality and speed.

This season he was lost.

The one who is even more important is Orléan Tshoumani who scored a wonderful goal in the World Cup in France and has to overcome the tragic penalty miss.

The Frenchman has already shown excellent ability with the ball in the uniform but at times he looked physically exhausted and he needs to be 'more Casemiro' - tackles, closes and covers.

During the loss to Rayo, the Brazilian's absence was perhaps felt for the first time.

Real conceded a quick goal when no midfielder covered Santi Comsania.

In no game this season did Thibaut Courtois keep a clean sheet in the league.

Although he was injured, he played enough.

Real has already conceded 14 goals, compared to only five from Barcelona.

Courtois is not close to recapturing his ability from last season and has often been left frustrated, as he attacked his teammates after the loss against Leipzig and spoke of a lack of intensity.

In Spain, they wonder how Antonio Rudiger, one of the best defenders in the world, one who was supposed to lead the Blancos' defense - has not yet taken the position.

He did record 19 games and a thousand minutes, but David Alaba seems to be in a bad physical condition.

Real need a little more malice and aggression at the back and the German, who testified that Pepe is his role model - could help.

The solution is under Ancelotti's nose.

an important task.

Vinicius (Photo: Reuters)

In light of Benzema's frequent absences, a heavy load fell on the shoulders of Vinicius Jr., who participated in all 21 of the team's games this season and leads the goalscoring table with ten.

After feeling that Tita did not trust him enough in the World Cup - he returns to the warm embrace of his coach.

Vinicius' rise from last season continued although he usually tends to preoccupy himself with things not related to football.

These are not only the ugly racist comments he suffered but also many confrontations with opponents that take him out of concentration.

Ancelotti received an offer from the Brazilian national team and said that as long as they don't fire him, he will continue with Real as long as possible.

Now he has to reinvent the team.

Valverde's placement on the right wing, a correct move that started back in the knockout stages last season - has proven itself in a big way as the Uruguayan presents the season of his life with eight conquests and usually bombards outside the box and also does not forget to close the line with Dani Carvajal.

He is only two goals away from the goal set for him by his coach - "Otherwise I will tear up my coach's certificate", and the Bernabeu is already in love.

In four games, Carlo will record a milestone with his 200th game at Real and he could be the only coach since Leo Binhacker to win two consecutive championships with them.

His place in the Blancos Hall of Fame is guaranteed but there are no sentiments at this club.

And one more thing for sure - nothing in the capital of Spain is normal.

"I like normality, which is not exactly the last Champions League win, and it was amazing, unexpected," he said when he was named 2022 coach of the year by the 'Ace'.

He doesn't want this to be his last degree.

Since Xavi was appointed coach of Barcelona, ​​his team has obtained 93 points.

Real achieved 94. This year there really is a battle...

* Click to purchase the only book of its kind in Israel about Real Madrid - The Kings of Europe

• sport

• world football

• Spanish league

Tags

• Real Madrid