Ancelotti's Decision Regarding Fede Valverde Isn't Going to Change after the Supercopa

Real Madrid is already digesting, albeit slowly and with some tension, the defeat suffered against FC Barcelona in the Spanish Supercopa final. This game seems to have left certain lessons for analysis by the coaching staff led by Carlo Ancelotti until the arrival of the game  against Celta de Vigo next Wednesday.

One of the most criticized players in the game against FC Barcelona was Lucas Vázquez. Curtis's '17' is filling in for Dani Carvajal: Leganés's '2', seriously injured, will be out for almost a year. That's why the Galician defender is Carlo Ancelotti's first choice, although he doesn't seem to be offering the expected level for the most important games.

The solution to that insecurity, according to information published by the newspaper MARCA, was to place Fede Valverde as a right wing in the games marked in red on the calendar. So far, it hasn't happened for two reasons: the first is to demonstrate that the Reggiolo coach trusts Lucas Vázquez himself. The second reason is to keep Fede Valverde in the midfield.

The performance of the Uruguayan '8' is practically impeccable regardless of the position he is placed in, but Carlo Ancelotti considers it more valuable to keep Fede Valverde as a midfielder. Even the harsh defeat against FC Barcelona, which leaves the Madrid '17' criticized, wouldn't have changed the Italian strategist's point of view.

We'll see

Ancelotti's confidence in his players has led him to keep Lucas Vázquez and Fede Valverde in their natural positions even in the 'big' matches. The results speak for themselves, and displays like the thrashing received in the Spanish Super Cup final don't legitimize this tactical decision.

Fede Valverde's position as one of Carlo Ancelotti's 'utility men' has made him indispensable in the starting eleven in all matches. Even the most unexpected ones, as seen during the match against Deportiva Minera in the Copa del Rey round of sixteen.

Be that as it may, the Uruguayan '8' is willing to play as a right-back in any match. The position is one of Real Madrid's weak points after Dani Carvajal's injury, one of the best players in the world... which leaves a substitute who doesn't offer the expected level in high-demand matches.

Only Fede Valverde seems ready, in every sense, to take on Carvajal's role. This move would place Lucas Vázquez on the bench almost permanently, especially because extremely complex matches are approaching. Failure is not an option in those encounters, especially in the last two matches of the Champions League group stage.