Many are criticising Ancelotti for what's seen in this instance, but it's actually Xavi's tactics at play here.
Xavi wanted to make the middle as compact as possible to nullify Benzema's fast interior connections / exchanges & force them out to the wings & make crosses.
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Xavi wanted to make the middle as compact as possible to nullify Benzema's fast interior connections / exchanges & force them out to the wings & make crosses.
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Then if you have defenders like Koundรฉ, Araujo & Alonso, who are extremely good at winning aerial duels, you can bank on their ability to deal with crosses all day.
This is why starting Alonso ahead of Eric Garcรญa was an absolute masterstroke, as Eric isn't good at aerial duels.
This is why starting Alonso ahead of Eric Garcรญa was an absolute masterstroke, as Eric isn't good at aerial duels.
And this precisely explains why Benzema had such an ineffective & poor game.
He was never allowed to make those quick connections / exchanges / 1-2s / inter-plays in / through the middle, which is one of his biggest strengths. This hampered his effectiveness.
Xavi Masterclass!
He was never allowed to make those quick connections / exchanges / 1-2s / inter-plays in / through the middle, which is one of his biggest strengths. This hampered his effectiveness.
Xavi Masterclass!
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