AS: Güler's Critical role in Roma match provides offensive firepower

According to AS, Güler played a crucial role in the match against Roma.

Real Madrid achieved a remarkable comeback in Rome. That match revealed multiple facets of Real Madrid and conveyed one clear message: no team is invincible in the Champions League forever. The dramatic seven-minute turnaround, changing the score from 1-3 in the 83rd minute to 4-3 in the 90th minute, was no accident but a calculated counterattack.

For Real Madrid, adversity ironically became the catalyst for finding their best form. Problems sometimes illuminate solutions invisible in comfortable circumstances. The start against Roma was extremely difficult, and Mourinho acknowledged that the opponent "did something they had never done before." In the first half, Real Madrid's overly centralized approach failed to create opportunities.

The team lacked a creative hub, with individual efforts overshadowing collective play. Güler remained on the bench, a luxury Real Madrid could not afford at that moment, while key attacking players seemed insufficient to break down a defensive Roma. The Valverde-Tchouaméni midfield pairing provided support, but so far this duo has failed to stabilize the situation.

As in the Villarreal match, Real Madrid found their rhythm once these two were separated. Those substitutions proved decisive, enabling an improbable comeback. The most critical change involved Güler. Without him, Real Madrid lacked both a creative spark for runners and a reliable set-piece taker.

Before the match, Mourinho noted that the Villarreal game demonstrated the team's need for Güler operating on the wing. This scenario repeated itself in Rome. Upon entering, Güler enjoyed greater freedom on the right wing, moving beyond his awkward midfield positioning alongside Tchouaméni to operate more as an attacking fullback, constantly surging into the opposition's half.

Mourinho initially deployed Mbappé, Vini Jr., Diomandé, and Bellingham together in attack, with Bellingham functioning more as a midfielder than usual and no true creative leader in support. This approach failed. After halftime, he adjusted tactics, adding more ball-controlling midfielders and removing the out-of-form Vinicius from the lineup.

The initial setup proved unsuccessful, but the subsequent adjustment was correct. Responding quickly to mistakes is equally vital. If Roma presented several problems, Mourinho departed Rome having found several solutions as well.

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