Erling Haaland of Manchester City and Norway
Erling Haaland of Manchester City and Norway
Real Madrid have always attracted the biggest talents in the world and have had a pull unlike any other club in Europe.
Their most successful eras have been built on generations of Galactico signings and finding systems that allow superstars to coexist.
Jose Mourinho is attempting to do the same right now, trying to bring silverware to a club that has Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham.
Now, according to Le Journal du Real (h/t Madrid Zone), Real Madrid are very interested in signing Manchester City superstar Erling Haaland.
Los Blancos’ admiration for the Norwegian is genuine, with Haaland himself said to be interested in playing in Spain at some point in his career.
Haaland remains an attractive option for Madrid
The 26-year-old striker has established himself among Europe’s most feared goalscorers, combining exceptional physical strength with explosive movement and clinical finishing.
His ability to attack space behind defenders, dominate inside the penalty area and convert chances with minimal involvement makes him a particularly attractive option.
Erling Haaland #9 of Norway
Erling Haaland dreams of playing in someday. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
For Madrid, interest in a player of Haaland’s calibre is hardly surprising. The club has consistently sought elite attacking talent capable of defining an era.
However, admiration from people inside the club does not necessarily mean a transfer is being actively pursued.
Los Blancos are simply keeping an eye on the situation, considering everything going on around Manchester City and their 115 charges.
How would Haaland fit alongside Mbappe?
The most interesting question is not whether Haaland is good enough for Real Madrid, but how he would fit into a team already built around Kylian Mbappe.
Both players are devastating finishers, although their attacking qualities differ. Haaland operates as a conventional striker.
Mbappe, on the other hand, is more comfortable attacking space from different positions and carrying the ball towards goal.
Accommodating both in the same system is a nightmare for any tactician, even before factoring in the likes of Vinicius and Bellingham.
Madrid must prioritise squad balance
Madrid already possess considerable attacking quality, while recent performances have highlighted the need for better midfield progression and greater collective control.
Investing heavily in another superstar forward would make little sense if those structural weaknesses remained unresolved.
Vinicius Jr. and Erling Haaland
Could Haaland become Vinicius Jr.’s teammate at Real Madrid?. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
What Madrid need to spend money on is finally finding replacements for Toni Kroos and Luka Modric, who left a few seasons ago.
That does not diminish Haaland’s appeal. A player of his quality would improve almost any attacking department.
Ultimately, if the opportunity presents itself, Madrid can consider a move for the Norwegian, but it cannot happen without sacrifices.
Right now, there is no basis to suggest that this transfer is imminent, and it remains to be seen what the future holds for Haaland and Manchester City.
AS Roma’s seven-game unbeaten streak poses fresh challenge for Real Madrid
AS Roma players
Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images
Real Madrid face a difficult Champions League challenge against Roma on their visit to the Stadio Olimpico.
Piero Gasperini’s side have developed into one of Europe’s most organised teams and are unbeaten in their opening seven matches of the season.
Roma’s impressive start reflects the progress made under their manager, whose demanding approach has blended very well with the squad.
The Italian side have scored 14 goals and conceded just three this season, giving them the best goal difference in Serie A.
Their defensive success has been built around Gasperini’s preferred three-man back line, supported by aggressive pressing and coordinated movement across the pitch.
Rather than abandoning the tactical principles that made him famous at Atalanta, the manager has assembled a squad suited to his methods.
Gian Piero Gasperini, Manager of AS Roma
Gasperini’s Roma are one of the most in-form teams in Europe. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)
Donyell Malen, in particular, has emerged as a dangerous attacking star, scoring six goals in six Serie A appearances.
Meanwhile, Paulo Dybala provides the technical quality and creativity needed to unlock opposition defences.
Why Roma could trouble Mourinho’s Madrid
Roma’s tactical structure presents an interesting challenge for Jose Mourinho, particularly given Madrid’s recent difficulties progressing the ball through midfield.
Gasperini’s aggressive man-oriented pressing could disrupt Madrid’s build-up, forcing defenders into hurried passes and isolating their attacking players.
The midfield pairing of Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni will need to offer better passing options than they managed against Villarreal.
Mourinho could choose to play Bernardo Silva instead of one of the duo to help aid in the creativity against the Italian club.
Bernardo Silva of Real Madrid
Madrid could start Bernardo Silva to help with the midfield creativity. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)
However, Roma’s commitment to the press could also present opportunities. The wing-backs are often caught high up the pitch.
This could potentially leave space for the wingers and Kylian Mbappe to exploit on the counter-attack.
Madrid must exploit Roma’s biggest tactical risk
The key for Madrid could be resisting the temptation to attack too quickly whenever possession is recovered.
Against a well-drilled three-man defence, predictable long balls may simply surrender possession and allow Roma to regain control.
Instead, Mourinho’s side should look to draw Roma’s press forward before switching play into the spaces behind their wing-backs.
Arda Guler’s ability to receive between the lines could be particularly useful in creating those opportunities.
Roma’s unbeaten record shows that they deserve respect and will not be easy to get past, and Madrid will have to play a perfect game.
However, Mourinho has the quality on paper to do just that, and it remains to be seen how Los Blancos fare against the Italians.