One week after their UEFA Champions League match at Stamford Bridge, Real Madrid tried to surprise Chelsea’s Kepa Arrizabalaga. This is according to Carlo Ancelotti. In the last eight, Los Blancos defeated the Blues 4-0 on aggregate. They did so by winning 2-0 in each leg to advance to the semi-finals. Last Tuesday, Chelsea attempted to build an unlikely comeback in west London, but despite a promising first half, they were unable to regain control of the match. And later Real Madrid scored twice after the interval to end the game.
Also fascinating tidbit is emerging from Spain. From the beginning of the second half, we can notice it. In the game,Federico Valverde is positioning closely behind Karim Benzema. And this gives a predetermined pattern.
Real Madrid plan for Kepa
Ancelotti is now questioned about press conference before Tuesday night’s loss at Girona. He acknowledged that Real Madrid scouts is observing Kepa frequently and started halves standing far off his line. And Valverde is ready to lob him right from the start – only for the custodian to foil their plans and return to a conservative starting position.
“We had seen in recent games that Kepa was left at the beginning of the game on the penalty spot and we thought that with a long shot from Valverde we could score,” Ancelotti admitted.
“We tried to work a lot on set pieces, less defensively because we defend in the zone. At this point in the season we can work on it much more than the tactical aspect because it means less fatigue for the players.”
Meanwhile Kepa said: “I don’t know about lacking confidence. Maybe we are not in our best shape. It is not a good season for us. What we have to do is believe until the end.
“But in this stadium, remontadas can happen. It’s happened before. We have to deliver.
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