Midfield Duel: Eduardo Camavinga Shines in Tchouameni’s Absence, Posing a Selection Dilemma for Ancelotti

Real Madrid’s midfield competition has been a fiercely contested battleground, and this season is no exception. The recent performance of Eduardo Camavinga in the absence of the injured Aurelien Tchouameni has added an extra layer to the competition for minutes in the middle of the park.

Tchouameni, the French international, began the season in outstanding form but faced inconsistency before sustaining an injury in El Clasico against Barcelona. With a fractured metatarsal sidelining him for an additional month-and-a-half, Camavinga has seized the opportunity and impressed in the midfield role.

Carlo Ancelotti, Real Madrid’s manager, acknowledged Camavinga’s adaptability and effectiveness in the pivot position, stating, “It is clear that as a pivot he is more used to the role. In the last games without Tchouameni, he has done very well in that position.”

Comparing the statistics, Tchouameni boasts a higher pass success rate (93% to Camavinga’s 85%), more passes per 90 minutes (69 to 53), and spends a greater percentage of the game in the opposition half. On the other hand, Camavinga excels in ball recovery, averaging almost three more recoveries per match (7.1 to Tchouameni’s 4.3) and attempts significantly more dribbles (3.4 to 0.5).

The contrasting styles of the two midfielders present Ancelotti with a dilemma when both are fit. While they could potentially play together, the manager faces the decision of whether to continue with Camavinga’s dynamic presence or reintegrate the controlled and reliable Tchouameni. Fede Valverde, Jude Bellingham, and Toni Kroos add to the formidable midfield options for Ancelotti, making selection decisions crucial in maintaining Real Madrid’s competitive edge.