Rodrygo or Arda Güler: whoever is to play in the last Clasico is known

The Santiago Bernabéu is bracing itself for the final El Clásico showdown of the season, a fixture that transcends mere football and embodies the fierce rivalry between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona. As the date draws nearer, a captivating debate has gripped the Spanish capital, igniting discussions among pundits, journalists, and the fervent Real Madrid faithful. The central point of contention: should the dazzling young Turkish talent, Arda Güler, be unleashed in the starting eleven against their eternal adversaries, Barcelona?

The genesis of this intense deliberation can be traced back to Arda Güler’s stellar performance in Real Madrid’s recent league encounter against Celta Vigo. Having already provided tantalizing glimpses of his exceptional ability in prior appearances against Getafe and, crucially, against Barcelona in the Copa del Rey final, the gifted 20-year-old once again illuminated the pitch with his exquisite technical prowess, his remarkable vision, and his knack for producing moments of decisive brilliance. Deployed in a dynamic role behind the formidable attacking duo of Vinícius Júnior and Kylian Mbappé, Güler injected a vibrant energy and a spark of creativity into Real Madrid’s midfield, orchestrating attacks and dictating the flow of the game with an maturity that belies his tender years. To emphatically underscore his burgeoning influence, he not only registered Madrid’s opening goal with a touch of sublime skill but also provided a crucial assist, further solidifying his reputation as a potential game-changer in the grandest of fixtures.

The electrifying display against Celta Vigo has undeniably amplified the growing calls for Güler to be handed a coveted starting berth in the upcoming El Clásico. In the build-up to this highly anticipated clash on May 11th, a chorus of prominent footballing experts has weighed in on the matter, eloquently arguing that the young Turkish international has unequivocally earned the right to feature in the starting lineup against Barcelona’s formidable side. During the esteemed “La Pizarra de Quintana” program broadcast on Radio Marca, a panel of astute analysts meticulously dissected the intricacies of the impending El Clásico encounter. The overwhelming sentiment expressed by the majority of the contributors was that Real Madrid’s experienced and tactically astute manager, Carlo Ancelotti, should entrust the gifted Turk with a starting role, potentially at the expense of the seasoned Brazilian winger, Rodrygo Goes.

Among the insightful voices contributing to the Radio Marca discussion was Miguel Ángel Román, a highly respected commentator known for his often critical yet insightful analysis of Carlo Ancelotti’s utilization of his squad. Román articulated a clear and compelling argument, stating with conviction: “If a player consistently demonstrates a superior level of performance compared to those currently occupying a starting position, then that player must, without question, be given the opportunity to play. Sheer talent should not be relegated to the confines of the substitutes’ bench based solely on principles of seniority or established hierarchies.” In his considered assessment, Román subtly suggested that Ancelotti might have inadvertently hindered Güler’s development and impact by not affording him more consistent playing time throughout the season, while perhaps concurrently over-relying on certain key players, potentially leading to fatigue and a diminished sharpness in pivotal moments. Román astutely highlighted Güler’s notable influence in set-piece situations and his inherent ability to inject a crucial element of fluidity and unpredictability into Real Madrid’s attacking transitions, a quality recently and emphatically praised by the legendary former Manchester United and England defender, Rio Ferdinand.

Adding his influential perspective to the burgeoning movement advocating for Güler’s inclusion in the starting eleven was Miguel Quintana, the astute host of the widely respected “La Pizarra de Quintana” program. Quintana firmly echoed Román’s sentiments, declaring with a sense of urgency: “Güler must, without a shadow of a doubt, start in place of Rodrygo for El Clásico. To do otherwise would be to risk Real Madrid falling into the same tactical pitfalls and strategic traps that have unfortunately plagued them in previous encounters against a defensively resolute and tactically astute Barcelona side,” the seasoned Spanish journalist warned with a palpable sense of conviction. Adrián Blanco, another respected voice on the panel, offered a cautionary note regarding a potentially flawed tactical blueprint from Carlo Ancelotti, stating with authority: “He should have gleaned from past experiences that deploying a purely three-pronged attack against a defensively well-organized FC Barcelona is a fundamental strategic error that has been consistently exploited and punished.”

Finally, Fran Guillén, another insightful analyst contributing to the Radio Marca discussion, astutely emphasized the paramount importance of meticulously tailoring the team’s overarching strategic approach to the specific and unique qualities and attributes possessed by the available pool of players. With the electrifying pace, directness, and individual brilliance of Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior spearheading the Real Madrid attack, Guillén astutely argued that Ancelotti’s midfield configuration requires players who possess the requisite vision, technical proficiency, and dynamic energy to effectively support the influential Jude Bellingham and provide crucial bursts of creativity and forward impetus from the center of the pitch.

Confronted with this overwhelming surge of expert opinions and the palpable anticipation emanating from the passionate Real Madrid fanbase, Carlo Ancelotti now finds himself under considerable pressure to make the optimal selection for this potentially season-defining El Clásico encounter. In the post-match press conference following Real Madrid’s hard-fought and ultimately rewarding 3-2 victory against Celta Vigo last Sunday afternoon, the experienced and highly decorated Italian tactician, who is widely tipped to eventually pave the way for the anticipated return of club legend Xabi Alonso to the managerial hot seat, offered a tantalizing and intriguing hint, suggesting that the gifted Arda Güler is indeed “well-positioned” and in strong contention to start the upcoming El Clásico. Having already endured three painful defeats against Hansi Flick’s formidable Barcelona side across various fiercely contested competitions this season, the weight of expectation on Ancelotti to deliver a positive and morale-boosting result in this final league installment of the clásico rivalry is immense, and his meticulously scrutinized team selection will be the subject of intense analysis and debate by every devoted Madridista across the globe.

The El Clásico scheduled for May 11th is rapidly shaping up to be an electrifying and emotionally charged spectacle, imbued with profound significance for both fiercely competitive teams as they vie for bragging rights and crucial league points. The potential inclusion or exclusion of the gifted Arda Güler from Real Madrid’s starting lineup could very well prove to be a decisive turning point in the final and critical stretch of Real Madrid’s season, potentially exerting a significant influence on their overall momentum, collective confidence, and psychological fortitude as they navigate the remaining challenges of the campaign. The definitive answer to the burning question of whether the experienced Rodrygo or the exciting Güler will grace the hallowed turf of the Santiago Bernabéu in the starting eleven will be eagerly revealed this Sunday, a moment of intense anticipation for football enthusiasts and passionate fans of both Real Madrid and FC Barcelona worldwide.