Carlo Ancelotti has provided us with many football and life lessons through his press conferences. Just over a year ago, in Vitoria, he labelled Nacho Fernandez as a pessimistic defender.
Then, after the match against Juventus in Los Angeles this summer, the Italian coach named Real Madrid‘s midfield trident after an urban legend.
“I call Casemiro, [Toni] Kroos and [Luka] Modric the Bermuda Triangle, because in their part of the pitch the ball disappears,” Ancelotti said.
The Real Madrid coach belongs to a generation who grew up with books and films about the mysterious disappearance of planes and ships in the triangle formed by Bermuda, Puerto Rico and the coast of Miami.
He referred to that paranormal case after the 2-0 win over Juventus to highlight a unique midfield.
Looking to the past, such nicknames were usually reserved for iconic forward lines, rather than for midfield trios, but Real Madrid‘s midfield is one of the finest in football history.
In fact, they have a strong case for being considered the very best, as they led Los Blancos to four Champions League titles between 2016 and 2022.
Casemiro, Kroos and Modric remain important
Beyond the nickname, Ancelotti was warning those who are asking for their imminent replacement that this is not his plan, no matter the talent of Aurelien Tchouameni, Eduardo Camavinga and Dani Ceballos.
Fede Valverde is a separate case, because the Uruguay international already established himself in the starting line-up in last season’s final stretch, playing on the right flank ahead of the midfielders in a 4-3-3 formation.
No matter how much energy the new arrivals provide the team with, they won’t be able to take over the starting line-up if the aforementioned three don’t show any signs of weakness.
In the match against Juventus, Modric, Kroos and Casemiro showed that they are not in the mood for dropping to the bench.
Marca
