Madrid Counting on Midfielders and Defenders to Keep Scoring

Sports

September 29th, 5:14pm

Asharq Al-Awsat

Real Madrid's Federico Valverde, right, celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Spanish La Liga match against Betis in Seville, Spain, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2020. (AP)

With its forwards still yet to produce as expected, Real Madrid will be counting on its midfielders and defenders to keep coming through in attack. The defending champions' forwards are scoreless through two games of the Spanish league season. The team opened with a 0-0 draw at Real Sociedad and salvaged a victory at Real Betis last weekend after a late penalty kick converted by defender Sergio Ramos. Midfielder Federico Valverde also scored in the 3-2 comeback win, with the other coming from an own-goal. “It’s not only for the forwards who have to score, the midfielders and the defenders need to contribute as well,” Valverde said. “That’s our job, too, so Madrid can win.” The team's forwards, led by Karim Benzema, had already been criticized after the opening draw against Sociedad, which came just after the club loaned Gareth Bale to Tottenham. “We have every player available and training well, that's what matters,” Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane said Tuesday. “We are just starting the season and we want to keep improving. We know that we have to improve and we are working on it.” Madrid hosts winless Valladolid on Wednesday for its third match of the season. Its game against Getafe, which would have been its first, was postponed because of the team's participation in the Champions League. Zidane won’t be able to count on Toni Kroos, one of its midfielders who often contributes with goals. The German player has a muscle injury that is likely to sideline him for about two weeks. Valverde should get to stay in the starting lineup, along with Casemiro and Luka Modric, who was on the bench on Saturday against Betis. “It’s a healthy competition (in the midfield), it makes us all improve,” Valverde said. “I learn a lot from them. I take advantage of every advice they give me because they have won a lot already in their careers.” Zidane said Eden Hazard was ready to make his first start if needed, but he didn't say if the forward would be in the squad on Wednesday because he hadn't practiced as much as the other players because of an injury.

from Asharq AL-awsat https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/2536431/madrid-counting-midfielders-and-defenders-keep-scoring