Three takeaways for Real Madrid from the US pre-season tour | OneFootball

Real Madrid began their pre-season tour of the United States of America on a strong footing, as consecutive victories against AC Milan and Manchester United strengthened the team’s morale on an immediate basis.

However, performances began to derail and back-to-back losses versus Barcelona and Juventus saw them conclude the tour with a bitter after-taste.

Despite mixed sensations towards the end, the pre-season served its purpose as the ideal groundwork for the forthcoming campaign.

Carlo Ancelotti managed to tinker with his newly assembled squad, with the coach bound to grasp a better idea of his team’s dynamics before the actual season starts.

Here are three takeaways from Los Blancos’ US pre-season tour.

1. Bellingham is ready for the big stage

Real Madrid’s latest acquisition, Jude Bellingham, enjoyed a blissful start to life with the Merengues. The midfielder was at the receiving end of a few tough losses but provided innumerable glimpses of his exceptional talent.

After an impressive debut versus AC Milan, Bellingham instantly stamped his name on the scoreboard against Manchester United in merely the sixth minute with an audacious chip from the edge of the box.

Apart from showcasing deadly final-third instincts, he played with excellent panache in every game he participated in. Simplicity is often the glory of expression, and Bellingham encapsulated that with his tender touches on the ball.

Against Juventus, he was not involved on the scoresheet but was at the heart of many offensive plays constructed by Madrid. In addition to playing as a connector between the lines, his duel winning was on display. The 20-year-old’s ball-carrying from deep and swiftness to evade pressure allowed Madrid to generate advantages from very little.

2. Real Madrid need a top No. 9

Real Madrid need a top striker. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)

With the conclusion of the pre-season, it has become clearer than ever that Real Madrid are struggling to score goals in the absence of Karim Benzema.

While Ancelotti tested out a two-man front line with various permutations and combinations involving Rodrygo, Vinicius Jr, and Joselu, a great deal of chances went down the drain, owing to the lack of finishers up front.

In the Clasico, Madrid outmatched Barcelona by a whopping 29 shots to 12, while the closing game versus Juventus entailed a similar script, with Los Blancos’ 34 shots trumping the Bianconeri’s 11.

The acquisition of Joselu has not instilled much hope too, due to the player’s inconsistencies in terms of finishing.

With Vinicius and Rodrygo players that prefer to play off a No. 9, it has become clear as daylight that Real Madrid must bolster that department. They have been linked heavily with Kylian Mbappe, and their pursuit of the World Cup winner may heat up following the pre-season.

3. Tchouameni recovering his form

An outstanding upside for Madrid this pre-season was recovering a version of Aurelien Tchouameni that resembled something close to his best after his decline in the second half of the last season.

The Frenchman’s display against Manchester United was simply outstanding, and he looked good every time he stepped out on the pitch.

The holding midfielder oozed excellence in the first phase as his tranquility while playing out from the back enabled Madrid to seamlessly bypass pressure. His ability to eat up ground and impose himself in duels rendered him a huge protection for the Madrid back-line as well.

The Frenchman, in most games, was cool as a cucumber recycling possession and provided a reliable presence in possession. Tchouameni even came close to scoring one of the goals of the pre-season against Barcelona, but ended up hitting the woodwork from range.

Positive signs for Real Madrid.