Kaka returns to Real Madrid first team – tactical implications
A lot was expected from the 56 million pound arrival from AC Milan last season but poor form and injuries blighted Kaka’s first season in Madrid. A disappointing world cup followed and just when Kaka thought things couldn’t get any worse, he received a knee
injury and was sidelined for six months.
In his absence, things have changed dramatically. Jose Mourinho has brought in players such as Mesut Ozil, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Sergio-Canales-c33052 and Angel Di Maria. Needless to say Madridistas have hardly missed the Brazilian. Kaka is nearing a return to the first team and is
expected to feature from January onwards. A statement issued by Real Madrid website on 18th December reads:
“Sergio Ramos, Kaka and Gago were the new faces during training this morning. The three players worked out on the pitch with their team-mates, taking a positive step towards recovery. Jose Mourinho also had 18 other men available to him in the session, as
well as youth teamers...”
Real Madrid have scored 39 goals in just 16 appearances. Such statistics hardly depict the need for Kaka but if we learned anything from the El Clasico drubbing, it was the fact the Los Merengues sorely missed Kaka’s influence in the middle of the park.
The Brazilian was arguably the best player in a Galacticos jersey when Madrid travelled to Camp Nou last season. It is often said that a good team is formed by a mixture of youth and experience. Kaka brings that winning mentality to the squad and being 28
years of age, he is one the most experienced players in the white jersey. The sense of calm that he will bring to a bunch of nervous prodigies is worth paying for.
Now, having established that Kaka still has a role to play at the club, we move on to tactical implications. Before Gonzalo Higuain was ruled out with ‘acute lower back pain’ earlier this month, Real were playing a 4-3-3 formation – a Mourinho favourite.
In such a formation, Gonzalo Higuain was the lone striker while Cristiano Ronaldo and Angel Di Maria flanked the Argentine.
Gonzalo Higuain
Cristiano Ronaldo Angel Di Maria
Mesut Ozil Xabi Alonso http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Sami-Khedira-c32325
Marcelo Ricardo Carvalho http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Sergio-Ramos-c33096
Iker Casillas
With Kaka’s return, Mourinho will have to tweak his tactics. Kaka simply can’t play to his best in the above formation. The Brazilian delivers his best when he is played in the trequartista role just behind the attackers. In full flow, there is no player
better at linking midfield to the attack.
Jose Mourinho will have to switch to a 4-2-3-1 formation in which Higuain will retain the lone striker’s role. Kaka will play just behind the forward while http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Cristiano-Ronaldo-c9629 will be given a free role on the flanks. Now, the question is who will be the third
player in the ‘3’. One of the new arrivals; Angel Di Maria and Mesut Ozil, will have to be benched. Di Maria is often criticised for his poor decision making while many marvel at the maturity that Ozil has shown on the pitch. Thus, Di Maria is likely to be
the one who will be sacrificed in order to make room for Kaka. The central midfield double pivot; Alonso and Khedria, will stay untouched. The formation will look something like this:
Gonzalo Higuain
Mesut Ozil Kaka Cristiano Ronaldo
Sami Khedira http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Xabi-Alonso-c37045
Marcelo http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Ricardo-Carvalho-c30973 Pepe Sergio Ramos
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Iker-Casillas-c16815
In such a formation, Angel Di Maria can be used as an impact sub for almost all the offensive players. Its highly likely that Ozil and Di Maria will be used in a ‘squad rotation’ policy as neither of the two will be eager to grace the bench for long.
However, having said that, such a formation change will only take place once Kaka starts producing his best form. Mesut Ozil and Di Maria have scored a combined total of 9 goals on domestic front alone while adding 10 assists and it won’t be easy for Kaka
outshining the two starlets from the off. However, should Kaka manage to gain his best form – 2007 Champions League – there is no reason for Madrid to stay trophy less for another season. Who knows Mourinho just might win Real the elusive 10th Champions
League trophy.
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