It is rare for coach Carlo Ancelotti to give Arda Guler an important role, especially in El Clasico. But this time, Guler is trusted after a convincing performance against Celta Vigo. This is also an opportunity for Guler to prove that he is worthy of the number 10 shirt that Kylian Mbappe is also eyeing.
Modric will leave this summer, leaving behind the shirt number that both Guler and Mbappe covet.
There are only a few rounds left until the 2024/25 La Liga season ends, including the El Clasico match that will decide the championship. This season, Real lost to Barca in the previous El Clasico match. However, the defeat in the Copa del Rey final showed that Real has improved a lot, and only lost due to an unexpected situation.
So, in Sunday night’s El Clasico, Real will likely play the same way they did in that final. Ancelotti is likely to start Guler for a number of reasons. The young Turkish talent has deserved it in recent games and has become an essential player for Real.
“Guler is a good player, plays fast and reads the game very quickly. Real Madrid need a player with that kind of vision,” said Real journalist Alvaro Benito, implying that Ancelotti holds the key to victory by choosing his team for the match.
A Real player since 2023, Guler has had his ups and downs. While injuries were a problem for him last season, his biggest problem this season has been a lack of playing time. Guler has played just 1,471 minutes. Ancelotti’s lack of faith in the 20-year-old is evident.
However, Guler has made incredible progress and is getting better and better. His recent performances have shown how important he is to the team. Guler is superior to Rodrygo, who is having a terrible season, and deserves to start in El Clasico.
Guler is the key for Real to defeat Barca, who are in a bad mood after being eliminated from the Champions League. If Guler helps Real win their first El Clasico this season, coach Ancelotti and his team will have a great chance to turn the tables in successfully defending the La Liga title in the remaining 3 rounds.
Guler could then claim the privilege Perz promised Mbappe when he signed the contract, which was to own Luka Modric’s No. 10 shirt. Guler said: “I would love to be No. 10.” But that would depend on Mbappe’s decision, who is currently wearing the No. 9 shirt vacated by Benzema.