Why the GALACTICOS in 2024 are SHIT

Summary

This video script delves into Real Madrid's current struggles, drawing parallels with past 'Galacticos' eras. It highlights the team's lack of balance, particularly with star players like Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior occupying similar spaces, and the absence of a central playmaker since Modrić and Kroos. The script examines how Madrid’s focus on high-profile signings, rather than tactical balance, has led to underperformance. Meanwhile, Barcelona’s youth development and strategic signings provide a blueprint for success, with the script pointing out that Madrid must address these issues quickly to avoid falling behind their rivals.

Takeaways

• 😀 Real Madrid's current Galáctico team, despite being star-studded, is not meeting expectations and has faced similar problems to previous versions of the Galácticos.
• 😀 The first Galáctico era (2000-2006) suffered from tactical imbalances due to signing multiple stars for similar positions, particularly Beckham and Figo occupying the same space on the field.
• 😀 Perez's focus on big-name signings, like Beckham, created more commercial value but disrupted the balance of the squad, resulting in a lack of trophies in those years.
• 😀 The second Galáctico era (2009-2018) also faced early struggles, including consistent Champions League exits and underperformance, until the addition of players like Modric, Bale, and Kroos brought stability.
• 😀 Mbappé's signing for Real Madrid has created a similar issue to Beckham’s arrival, as both he and Vinicius Jr. occupy the same position, disrupting the team's balance on the left wing.
• 😀 Mbappé's lack of movement and unwillingness to press has put extra pressure on teammates like Bellingham, who is forced to take on both attacking and defensive responsibilities.
• 😀 The absence of a midfield controller, similar to the role Modric played, is another key issue for Real Madrid. Players like Valverde and Bellingham cannot dictate the tempo of the game like Modric could.
• 😀 Despite signing star players like Mbappé, Real Madrid's current setup lacks balance, and the team struggles with tactical cohesion, especially in midfield.
• 😀 Barcelona has found success by combining smart signings (like Lewandowski and Raphinha) with strong youth development, creating a more balanced and sustainable model compared to Real Madrid's reliance on star power.
• 😀 Real Madrid needs to quickly find a solution to their current issues, as Barcelona’s formula of smart recruitment and youth development could make them a stronger rival moving forward.

Q & A

What was the core problem behind the failure of Real Madrid’s first Galacticos era?

The core problem was a lack of balance within the team. Despite having many star players, there was no sufficient focus on building a cohesive squad with defensive and midfield strength, leading to underperformance in subsequent seasons.

Why did the signing of David Beckham in the first Galacticos era cause problems?

Beckham's signing created positional conflicts, particularly with Figo, as both players preferred occupying the same spaces. Additionally, Beckham's fame off the pitch seemed to be a driving factor, rather than his on-field performance, which disrupted team dynamics.

How did Real Madrid’s managerial situation affect the success of the Galacticos?

Managers were often forced to play star players regardless of form, due to Perez's influence. This meant that performance on the pitch was overshadowed by star power, leading to poor team balance and lack of success, especially in Europe.

What was the impact of selling Eto’o’s contract rights in 2004?

Real Madrid’s decision to sell Eto’o’s rights to Barcelona was a mistake, as he went on to become a key player for Barcelona, winning multiple La Liga titles and Champions Leagues, while Real Madrid suffered from a lack of depth in the striker position.

What lessons did Perez learn after the failure of the first Galacticos era?

Perez learned the importance of building a balanced team and investing in not only star players but also in quality midfielders and defenders to provide control and stability. This approach was taken when assembling the second set of Galacticos.

Why did the second Galacticos era underperform in the Champions League despite having high-profile players?

The team lacked the tactical balance and midfield control necessary for success in the Champions League. It wasn’t until the addition of Modric, Bale, and Kroos, alongside Mourinho's managerial influence, that they started to dominate Europe.

What tactical problem is Real Madrid facing with the current Galacticos, especially in relation to Mbappé?

The issue is that Mbappé and Vini Jr. occupy the same spaces on the left wing, creating positional conflicts. Additionally, Mbappé's reluctance to make runs and press the opposition leaves much of the workload to other players like Bellingham, disrupting the team’s balance and cohesion.

How does the current team’s lack of midfield control compare to previous successful Real Madrid teams?

Unlike previous successful teams with players like Kroos, Modric, and Casemiro, the current midfield lacks a player who can dictate the tempo and control the game. This absence of control is a significant reason for the team’s struggles to assert dominance in matches.

What is the significance of Barcelona’s approach in relation to Real Madrid’s Galacticos?

Barcelona’s approach of combining high-quality signings with strong youth development (such as players from La Masia) has been more sustainable compared to Real Madrid’s reliance on big-name signings. This has allowed Barcelona to maintain success and defeat Real Madrid’s star-studded teams.

What could Real Madrid do to fix their current issues and find success again?

Real Madrid needs to address the lack of balance in the squad by signing players who can control the midfield and provide tactical depth. Additionally, they should focus on creating a system where all players, including Mbappé, work cohesively both offensively and defensively.