CHAMPIONS LEAGUE – Real Madrid – PSG: Out of the closet, can Camavinga solve Real’s ills against PSG?

He came out of the shadows. With a certain sparkle. To the point that the question of his presence in the Madrid starting lineup against PSG on Wednesday could arise. Holder for the first time in a month with the White House, Eduardo Camavinga showed the extent of his qualities against Real Sociedad (4-1) on Saturday. Even if he sometimes seemed to run in all directions and took a few minutes to find his bearings, the former Rennais even won over Madrid.

More than his nice goal that revived Real, it was his activity, his ability to project himself forward that reminded why the Merengues were not mistaken by dropping around 31 million euros in the last hours. of the last summer transfer window to bring him in. “He’s a young player but he has qualities. He knows very well the importance he has in this team. His football is football of quality and energy.“, greeted Carlo Ancelotti on Saturday about his young 19-year-old protege, precious for his work without the ball and for relieving Luka Modric in the absence of Federico Valverde (flu) and Toni Kroos (injured).

From “chaos to talent”

In recent weeks, however, Eduardo Camavinga had not been spared. By his coach already. While he does not yet consider him mature enough, the Italian tactician reduced him to a bare minimum in terms of playing time and even released him at halftime during his last start in early February. But it is above all the Madrid press which has not been kind to him. His sparkling debut under the white tunic then seemed from another era. Too much commitment in his defensive interventions, too many lost balls in key areas, a limited tactical approach: the criticisms in the Spanish press were legion. But on Saturday, he made everyone agree. From “chaos to talent“, summed up As in a column.

So, a question arises today. A question that seemed incongruous a few days ago given its fragmented use: can he apply for a place in the starting lineup against PSG against whom he had exploded in the eyes of all at 16 by signing an XXL match during a victory for Stade Rennais (2-1) in August 2019? If we ask ourselves the question, it is already that there is an opening in the Madrid workforce. With the suspension of Casemiro and while doubt still hangs over the presence of Toni Kroos, Carlo Ancelotti will have to tinker in the middle and will not be able to count on his immutable trio Toni Kroos-Casemiro-Luka Modric. Federico Valverde, who will make his return, however logically holds the rope to accompany Modric at the heart of the game to accompany his aggressiveness. But has Camavinga gained points this weekend to the point of doubling it?

“His place is rather next to Casemiro rather than in Casemiro’s place”

It’s not win. Admittedly, the former Rennais has changed some mentalities within the White House, where he is still considered to be in the midst of a learning phase to make the most of his talent in a club of this size. “He played a very complete match and scored a superb goal at a very important moment,” admitted Emilio Butragueño, director of institutional relations for Real Madrid on As. last months, it remains unlikely to see him established for such a shock. Except in the event of Kroos’ definitive withdrawal.

A trend is essential in any case in Spain: Ancelotti should not align him as a sentry to compensate for the absence of Casemiro, while some had imagined him as a possible successor to the international Auriverde on his arrival. If Camavinga has already been tested in this position when the Brazilian was not there, he has rarely convinced. It’s even a mild understatement. After his performance against Granada in February, the daily As had even hoped that Ancelotti would no longer play him as a sentry without anyone by his side. And the transalpine coach seems quite of this opinion: “I have discussed this with him for the past few weeks. I think his place is rather next to Casemiro rather than in Casemiro’s place“, launched the Italian before toning down his exit: “but he can do both, without problem”.

However, the impression remains that this is not necessarily the case at the moment. And that Real would take a risk by aligning it in 6 in front of the defense. At Real, Camavinga is indeed today more considered as a torchbearer, a role in which he had already flourished over time in Rennes – particularly alongside Steven Nzonzi who had allowed him to be more free to dezone and to go and bring danger through his vision of the game and his technique -. And if he plays this Wednesday, the French international will be more aligned higher on the lawn or two in front of the defense with Kroos or Valverde at his side, as in his debut with Rennes. Just to erase certain shortcomings, which are not illogical for his age, and to take advantage of all his qualities.