Real Madrid were at a crossroads during the summer, losing the defensive partnership of Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane that had been so centric to the club’s success in recent years, yet after just 100 days, the new pairing of David Alaba and Eder Militao has made the former a distant memory.
Some claimed it would be impossible to lose two stellar names and continue to succeed so quickly, but Carlo Ancelotti has worked wonders with Militao, improving his confidence, whilst the assured presence of Alaba next to him has proven invaluable.
Real Madrid kickstarted their season on August 14, but it wouldn’t be until August 28 that the duo played together at the heart of defence for the first time.
It has now been 100 days since that match against Real Betis, and Los Blancos are flying high at the top of LaLiga Santander with an incredible secure defensive structure.
They are both undroppable for Ancelotti, they are pivotal to how he wants his team to be setup in matches.
“The quality of the two is extraordinary,” Ancelotti enthused.
“They are different Militao is very strong and Alaba adapts very well. They understand each other and complement each other well.”
Results back them up
In the 16 matches that Militao and Alaba have played as a defensive pairing, Los Merengues have recorded 13 victories, two draws and one defeat.
In half of those matches the Spanish giants have recorded clean sheets, as well as conceding a grand total of just nine goals, which is incredibly impressive.
Militao and Alaba as a central pairing have only been losing for a total of 67 minutes in those 16 matches, and 47 of those minutes came in the singular clash with Sheriff.
The performance level of both defenders has been admirably high, with the Italian coach squeezing the absolute maximum out of them.
