Ancelotti's Decision That Could Mark the End of the Season for Real Madrid

One of the  good news that Real Madrid has recorded shortly before facing Arsenal in the return leg of the Champions League quarter-finals is a return. After two months injured in his right knee, Dani Ceballos has reintegrated into the white sports discipline with his first minutes in the stoppage time of the match at Mendizorroza.

With that minimal playing time, Carlo Ancelotti considers that the Utrera-born '19' is more than ready to start against Arsenal in tonight's match. The recovery of Dani Ceballos's tactical profile is more important than it seems given the critical situation of Madrid's midfield. Without Toni Kroos, who retired from professional soccer last summer, the level of play has dropped considerably.

Despite the fact that the Reggiolo coach has tried different solutions, only Dani Ceballos has been the 'patch' most suited to the first team's soccer demands. His absence has left a significant void in the creation and distribution of play that the coaching staff doesn't want to lose again. Therefore, according to 'Relevo' information, the role of the Andalusian midfielder would have changed radically these weeks.

Meanwhile, as Dani Ceballos was recovering from his right knee injury, Carlo Ancelotti would have designated him as one of the key starters until the end of the season. The Sevillian midfielder, thanks to his vision of the game and ball handling, is the profile closest to the organizing pivot that the former German '8' was in the squad.

Decision Almost Made

In addition to all his virtues with the ball, the Italian strategist understands that Dani Ceballos is a key footballer to achieve the "balance" that has been so missed this season. That idea has been one of Carlo Ancelotti's "obsessions" since he returned to Santiago Bernabéu locker room, provided so far by players now absent from the first team.

Only Dani Ceballos, collaborating with other key footballers in that sense like Fede Valverde, could restore normalcy in more than one competitive aspect. The first major test of that fixed starting position for the '19' merengue will be tonight against Arsenal, at Santiago Bernabéu.

In any case, Carlo Ancelotti already understands that Dani Ceballos is shaping up to be a key player to achieve the maximum possible number of competitive successes during the 24/25 soccer season.  Most forecasts are not favorable to the merengue team, especially in the context of the Champions League quarter-finals.

The fight for the LaLiga leadership, as well as the Copa del Rey final to be played this month, would place Real Madrid in a  theoretical inferiority against FC Barcelona. A good part of the tactical hopes rest on a  Dani Ceballos newly returned from injury and aspiring to be a starter until the end of the current season.