Real Madrid are showing a balanced attack as eyes now turn to Benfica in the UCL

When it comes to Real Madrid’s performance this season, balance, especially the lack of it in attack, is a word that often comes up. But in stopping a rising Real Sociedad side and extending their unbeaten run in LaLiga to eight in a row with a 4-1 win, the balance that Trent Alexander-Arnold can bring was on display. And they did it without Kylian Mbappe.

It took only five minutes for Real Madrid to open the scoring with a great pass from Alexander-Arnold to Gonzalo Garcia. This is only his second assist for England back this season, as injury has limited him to just 12 appearances in all competitions. But with Benfica set to play in the Champions League on Tuesday in the playoffs (which you can watch on Paramount+), this performance comes at a more important time than ever.

One of the best right-backs in the world, Alexander-Arnold joined from Liverpool ahead of the Club World Cup in the summer, and is an exciting signing who is expected to take Real Madrid’s attack to the next level. Appropriately, too, take a look at this pass map from last season at Liverpool.

With the player blowing the ball forward like that, every attacker is able to focus on getting into a good position, and there is the added benefit of Federico Valverde being able to get back into midfield. That was also a key change when Valverde switched from open play to Vinicius Junior, who scored two penalties midway through the game.

Despite that result, it wasn’t all smiles for Real Madrid, with young defender Dean Huijsen earning a penalty following a rash challenge from Mikel Oyarzabal. Los Blancos will also be feeling like they could score more goals, but a strong finish and penalties ensured Real Madrid made the most of their chances. They struggled to create much from open play after the first half of action, but given that this was without Mbappe’s 38 goals in all competitions, Madrid manager Alvaro Arbeloa will not be too concerned.

The leadership of American manager Pellegrino Matarazzo replaced Real Sociedad in the leagueand they only have 90 minutes to play in the Copa Del Rey final, so losing at the Santiago Bernabeau doesn’t help at all. Arbeloa’s Madrid are on the right track, but all eyes will be on their Champions League clash this week. Losing to Benfica on the last day of the league stage is what got them into this situation; instead of the stars resting during the week, Los Blancos need to find a way to enter the round of 16 in the Champions League.

Already was knocked out of the Copa Del Rey in shocking fashion by Albacete last month, catching Barcelona in LaLiga and winning the Champions League is the priority, and a win against Benfica on Tuesday will be a step in the right direction as they continue to look to find balance.