REAL MADRID
Arda Güler finally given his chance in LaLiga against Las Palmas
The young Turk was briefly upset by his lack of minutes on the pitch, but Ancelotti rewarded him against Las Palmas.
Arda Güler was finally able to make his debut in La Liga with Real Madrid. He did so in the 1-2 win against Las Palmas, coming on with just under ten minutes to go, although the eight minutes of added time added on by the fourth official meant he was on the pitch for almost 20 minutes, time enough for him to show his class: he had 10 touches, completed five out of six passes, won 2 tackles, recovered the ball once and made three fouls.
The best moment for Güler was mounting a counter-attack with a wonderful touch for Joselu, who then found the Turk inside the area, with a chance to shoot at goal; Güler was loose with his first touch and missed his best chance to score for Real Madrid.
Güler to be ‘a very important player’ says Carlo
Despite the lack of minutes this season, the overall feelings are positive: Güler has already played in three different competitions with Madrid (Copa del Rey, Spanish Super Cup and LaLiga) and celebrated with a message on social media that read “great comeback, congratulations team”.
It was Ancelotti’s reward after the Turk left the home game against Almería slightly angry after warming up for several minutes to end up not playing. After his string of injuries, Güler is now physically fit and is slowly accumulating minutes: he has 76 in total, not counting added time. Little by little, Güler’s time is coming.
But Ancelotti knows that, at his age and physique, things should not be rushed more than necessary. “I am very aware that he is 18 years old. [We have to be] calm with him, he will be a very important player for the present and for the future. We all need a little patience. I have it, and so does he.
Other players ahead of Güler in the hierarchy
“He will have his minutes, the quality is there”, said the coach at the beginning of the year, before Güler had been able to make his official debut. He did so in the Copa against Arandina and played 60 promising minutes, but since then he has been seen very little and always in less than ideal circumstances to shine, always appearing in the final stages of matches.
Brahim’s explosion has not helped the midfielder, nor does the fact that Joselu scores every time he has the chance and Carletto feels indebted to the two of them when it comes to giving Vinicius and Rodrygo a rest. However, little by little, Güler is breaking through and the next challenge is clear: to play his first minutes at the Santiago Bernabéu. The game against Atlético Madrid on Sunday 4 will be his first opportunity to do so.