In the highly anticipated "Double Red" match of the 20th round of the Premier League that concluded in the early hours of January 6th, Beijing time, Liverpool was held to a 2-2 draw at home by Manchester United. In this game, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Liverpool's right-back valued at 75 million euros, sparked outrage due to his poor performance. Both of Liverpool's conceded goals were closely related to his lackadaisical attitude and poor defense. In the 52nd minute, after a rash passing error, Alexander-Arnold remained lethargic and did not press forward to challenge, instead allowing Bruno Fernandes to move horizontally before delivering a through ball. This led to Lisandro Martinez breaking into the penalty area and scoring with a powerful shot from a tight angle. Liverpool's second goal conceded also originated from the right side defended by Alexander-Arnold. During the goal, he was out of position, inexplicably retreating to the center of the penalty area, which forced center-back Ibrahima Konate to move wide to defend against Alejandro Garnacho. This left a gaping hole in the middle, allowing Diawara to score. After a ridiculous passing error near the sideline, Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk glared at Alexander-Arnold with a look that could "kill with eyes," clearly expressing his dissatisfaction with the player's poor performance in the game. Manchester United legend Roy Keane severely criticized Alexander-Arnold, saying, "He runs around aimlessly in defense, defending like a primary school student. He must do better. People say he might go to Real Madrid. But judging by his current defensive level, he might end up at Tranmere…

Real Madrid's 3 Superstars to Rest! 18-year-old Kid Out: 111 Days Without a Goal, Chance for Redemption At 2 am Beijing time on January 7th, the third round of the King's Cup will see Real Madrid face off against Minera away from home. Prior to the match, *Asa Newspaper* specifically mentioned the 18-year-old Endrick: This is an opportunity for the Brazilian teenager to turn things around. If he continues to underperform and not fit in, it will be difficult for him to get playing time in the future. "Endrick, now or never," wrote *Asa Newspaper*. Playing against Minera is theoretically the easiest game for Real Madrid this season. Minera, established nearly a century ago, has always been an obscure team that has never played in La Liga or Segunda División, and this season they have been promoted to the fourth-tier league. This small rural team's first-ever encounter with the world's number one powerhouse, Real Madrid, is a historic moment. Both *Marca* and *Asa Newspaper* agree in their previews that Ancelotti will rotate the squad, with superstars Vinicius, Mbappe, and Bellingham resting on the bench. The 18-year-old Endrick will start, looking to find his footing in the low-difficulty event that is the King's Cup. Last summer, Endrick officially joined Real Madrid, experiencing a high start followed by a downturn. In his debut in La Liga and the Champions League, Endrick scored, impressing everyone. Endrick's strengths and weaknesses are evident: he has speed, confidence, explosive power, and decent footwork; however, he has not fully grasped Real Madrid's tactics and needs to deepen…

Real Madrid has experienced multiple internal conflicts this season, with the issue of penalty kick takers being a focal point of attention. Initially, Vinicius was designated as the team's penalty taker by Real Madrid. However, due to Mbappe's subpar performance and statistics at the beginning of the season, the club decided to accommodate him by allowing him to take penalties. Mbappe missed crucial penalties in previous Champions League matches and also in league games, which severely impacted his confidence, leading to reluctance in continuing as the penalty taker. This is when the assertive Bellingham stepped up to take penalties recently. However, he too missed a penalty during a match against Valencia, resulting in Real Madrid missing three out of their last four penalties. This situation greatly displeased coach Carlo Ancelotti, who is keen on finding a reliable penalty taker to prevent the team from wasting such opportunities. Consequently, an internal meeting at Real Madrid will decide on a designated penalty taker. Despite this, Mbappe is still unwilling to relinquish the privilege he fought hard to obtain and wishes to continue taking penalties. However, Ancelotti has issued a final ultimatum, insisting that Real Madrid must choose a definitive penalty taker. The coach is primarily considering reinstating Vinicius as the first-choice penalty taker for Real Madrid. Vinicius had previously been the primary penalty taker and played a key role in securing the UEFA Champions League title last season. To reward Vinicius, Ancelotti wants to make this decision, although it is certain that Mbappe and Bellingham will be unhappy. Nonetheless, they will need…

For the La Liga giants Barcelona, the past few seasons have been plagued by financial difficulties. After Laporta's return to Barcelona, he set about addressing the club's financial crisis. Last season, Barcelona failed to win any titles, and Xavi was unable to continue his tenure. Flick took over the reins of the team, becoming the helmsman of the Blaugrana. At the start of this season, Barcelona's form was exceptionally hot, securing a stunning seven consecutive victories in La Liga, and sweeping Real Madrid and Bayern Munich with big wins in the first half of the season. For a time, Barcelona became the most eye-catching team in European football. After Flick took office, he boldly promoted young players from the La Masia academy, such as Ilaix Moriba, Gavi, Pedri, Ferran Torres, Nico Gonzalez, and Eric Garcia, who began to make their mark in La Liga. At the same time, forwards like Memphis Depay and Antoine Griezmann were inspired to perform at their best, leading Barcelona to successive victories on all fronts. However, as time went on, injuries within the Barcelona squad began to mount, with several key stars sidelined due to injury, causing the team's performance to become inconsistent. Before the winter break, Barcelona suffered three consecutive home defeats, having already lost five matches in La Liga this season against smaller teams like Real Sociedad, Las Palmas, Leganes, and Osasuna. In the most recent round of La Liga, Barcelona suffered a 1-2 home defeat to Atletico Madrid, with their poor form eroding the advantage they had built at the start of…

Real Madrid is a team that always manages to surprise when things get tough. This was evident in their match against Valencia, where they managed to turn the score around despite being behind and down a player. All credit goes to Ancelotti's timely tactical changes and Bellingham's outstanding performance. Bellingham's performance since joining Real Madrid has taken everyone by surprise. The young player not only organizes attacks in midfield but also steps up in crucial moments. The match against Valencia is a clear example. Although he missed a penalty in the first half, he did not let this setback defeat him; instead, he scored the decisive goal in the final moments of the game. Looking at the statistics, Bellingham was fouled six times during the match and won 13 out of 20 duels, indicating his strong presence on the field. After Ancelotti switched to a 4231 formation, Bellingham was placed in the attacking midfielder position, which maximized his strengths. In the past six games, Bellingham has scored four goals and provided two assists, an efficiency rare among midfielders. Compared to Vinicius' impulsiveness and Mbappe's individual heroism, Bellingham appears more mature and stable, knowing when to pass and when to take matters into his own hands. Real Madrid now relies heavily on Bellingham, who functions like the team's engine, contributing both offensively and defensively. Following the loss to Athletic Bilbao, Ancelotti made tactical adjustments that significantly improved the team's performance. The new 4231 formation makes the team more flexible in attack and strengthens midfield control, making it difficult for opponents to…

Over the past decade, Real Madrid has experienced an incredibly successful period in its history, winning six UEFA Champions League titles and solidifying its status as the "King of Europe." The team has been blessed with a plethora of talented players, including superstars like Cristiano Ronaldo, who were unable to end their careers at the club. Midfield talents such as James Rodriguez and Isco, despite their immense potential, were unable to dislodge the dominant midfield trio, leading them to leave with regrets. Let's take a look at the current situations of five talented players who struggled at Real Madrid but found different paths in their careers after leaving. Isco At 32 years old, Isco's career is a testament to resilience, transitioning from a highly-regarded young player to a top midfielder at Real Madrid, and then experiencing a resurgence at Betis after nearly being without a club. In July 2013, Isco, then a Malaga prodigy with the European Golden Boy award, joined Real Madrid for a transfer fee of 30 million euros. He developed into a world-class attacking midfielder, making 250 appearances and helping the team win 19 titles, including five UEFA Champions League trophies, with his market value once nearing 100 million euros. Despite his exceptional dribbling and ball control skills, Isco's tendency to hold onto the ball too long, weak physicality, and slow speed put him at a disadvantage in Real Madrid's midfield competition. He was let go by the club in August 2022 and faced a career low point at Sevilla, where he was on the brink of…

Real Madrid's away game against Valencia in the 12th round of the La Liga fixture saw the team display resilience in adversity and highlighted the young talent of Jude Bellingham stepping up in crucial moments. All of this stemmed from Carlo Ancelotti's tactical adjustments. Bellingham missed a penalty in the 55th minute, hitting the post, which could have been a morale-damaging moment. However, the young player was not deterred by the mistake and instead became more proactive in the subsequent game. He fought fiercely in midfield, completing multiple interceptions in the opponent's half, and his indomitable spirit inspired the entire team, keeping Real Madrid's fighting spirit alive in difficult circumstances. Bellingham's performance in the final moments of the game was even more impressive. He first assisted Luka Modric in the 85th minute to help the team equalize, then completed a decisive goal during stoppage time. This kind of big-game mentality is reminiscent of former players like Zinedine Zidane and Raul, who also stepped up to carry the team during Real Madrid's toughest times. In a club like Real Madrid, young players often take a long time to adapt to the pressure, but Bellingham seems naturally suited for it. His every tackle is full of passion, and every pass is full of ideas. On the field, he can both cooperate with his teammates seamlessly and complete attacks on his own. In the game, he was fouled six times by the opponents, showing his threat in attack, and the data of winning 13 out of 20 duels reflects his contribution in defense.…

According to exclusive information from Defensa Central, Real Madrid is actively preparing for next summer's transfer market, aiming to strengthen its midfield in order to fill the huge void left by the departure of Toni Kroos. The Spanish giants have set their sights on two rising stars, Martin Zubimendi and Florian Wirtz, as key targets for recruitment. The departure of Kroos has undoubtedly left a significant gap in Real Madrid's midfield, losing a masterful playmaker. To compensate for this loss, the club is actively seeking a replacement with a similar style, preferring creative midfielders over simply physically strong players. In the pursuit of new signings, Zubimendi stands out as the primary target due to his affordable price and solid performances. Meanwhile, despite a potential valuation exceeding 100 million euros, Wirtz has not been ruled out due to his exceptional talent and potential. Real Madrid is seriously considering reaching a potential agreement with the young prodigy next summer. Over the coming months, Real Madrid will continue to search for suitable candidates to fill the void left by Kroos' departure. While Zubimendi and Wirtz are leading contenders, the club is also exploring other options to achieve the perfect reinforcement in midfield. With transfer rumors surrounding players like Arnold and Davies surfacing, Real Madrid President Florentino Perez has shifted the focus of recruitment to the midfield. This move is seen as a crucial step towards strengthening the team's lineup for the next season. This summer's transfer market is expected to be particularly busy for Real Madrid. They need to fill gaps left by…

Although Oaktree Capital has given Inter Milan a "command" to consider financial issues and age restrictions when buying new players, which has increased the difficulty of transfers and led many Inter executives to say there will be no major moves in the winter window; however, many media outlets are still talking about Inter's old routine of "sneaking through the warehouse" under Marotta. They are considering buying new players while meeting the basic requirements of Oaktree and considering introducing them. According to journalist Longo, Inter Milan is carefully considering signing the outstanding rising star of Apennine this season, Nico Pas, and has already carried out detailed exchanges, including interactions at the level of Marotta. This is a very important event for Inter Milan. Pas' ability does not need to be elaborated. He is also familiar enough with this sport. If he can join a top club like Inter Milan, it will also be a promotion for himself. Pas, under Fabregas, started 13 times in 16 Serie A games, ranking third in playing time within the team, totaling 1249 minutes. Pas is also the second most dribbling player in Serie A this season with 35 times, only behind Leo, and is also the player who creates the most opportunities and makes the most interceptions within the team. Of course, big clubs are no strangers to Pas' growth. Although he is currently in Como, his actual ownership is in Real Madrid. It is reported that Milan has been paying attention to Pas for months, and Milan also maintains a good relationship with Real…

A thrilling match unfolded in the La Liga as Real Madrid faced off against Valencia in a make-up game for the 12th round. Real Madrid has not had a particularly impressive season so far, with only 12 wins out of 18 league games, suffering 2 losses and drawing 4 times. This record has placed them in a fierce battle for the championship. In this crucial make-up game, they faced Valencia, a team struggling in the relegation zone. In their last three encounters, Real Madrid had one win, one draw, and one loss. However, this time, they managed an incredible comeback to secure all three points. Real Madrid lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Kylian Mbappe leading the attack. Vinicius Junior, Jude Bellingham, and Rodrygo were the attacking trio, while Federico Valverde and Dani Ceballos formed the double pivot in midfield. Ferland Mendy, Antonio Rüdiger, Éder Militão, and Lucas Vázquez started as the four defenders, with Thibaut Courtois in goal. Eduardo Camavinga, Marco Asensio, Borja Mayoral, and Luka Modrić were on standby on the bench. Valencia started the game with a sharp offensive, creating several chances. However, it was not until the 27th minute that they capitalized on their opportunities when Hugo Duro scored after a rebound from a shot by Héctor Hernández. Despite Real Madrid's efforts to respond more aggressively in the second half, they found themselves trailing 0-1 at halftime. They had 64% possession and 12 shots, but only three were on target, failing to score. Valencia, on the other hand, had seven shots, five on target, scoring…