[Sport] Alaba, the base of Ancelotti's project, a defender who knows how to do it all

[SougarLord]

Link: https://www.elmundo.es/deportes/futbol/2021/07/21/60f84079fc6c831b708b461f.html

 

 

One of the best defenders in Europe arrives, at zero cost, to fill the gap of one of the historical legends of Real Madrid. David Alaba inherits number 4 from Sergio Ramos. "We talked about it on Tuesday and they told me there was no other large number available. I know what the '4' means: it is an honor to wear it and it motivates me a lot because it represents strength and leadership," explained the Austrian during his presentation. At 29, at the height of his career, Alaba has arguments to fill the immense void left by the captain. However, the short-term context, both sports and financial, will not allow a single slip.

 

Since Monday morning, when he descended the jet ladder in Barajas, Alaba has been determined to show conclusive security in every gesture. "I have not come to compare myself with others. I am here to continue being me," he told reporters. Not satisfied, he appealed to the heraldry of the 13-time European champion: "If you play for Bayern and want to improve your sport, you only have one option." His words have the endorsement of the 27 titles celebrated with the Bavarian giant, including the 2013 and 2020 Champions League. Of course, the current panorama of Madrid is far from such pretensions. Unless Florentino Pérez achieves the squaring of the circle with Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland.

 

While waiting for what happens until August 31, Carlo Ancelotti must settle for Alaba, a highly valued piece on the market. The Italian, who already led him in Munich in 2016 and 2017, is well aware of his tactical versatility, which allows him to act as a left-back or as a left-handed central defender, either in a line of four defenders or in a scheme of three centrals. With these arguments, added to the desire of Raphael Varane to play next season with Manchester United, Alaba is emerging as the pillar of the new white defense.

 

THE CONFLICTS IN MUNICH

 

At his side, Carletto can train with Eder Militao, whose explosion last spring left half of Europe open-mouthed, and Ferland Mendy, whose imposing display is only hampered by that worrying tibial periostitis that has dragged on since last May. In an emergency, the freshness of Miguel Gutiérrez can provide solutions in the left-handed lane. In any case, the payroll seems limited. And it conditions the choice of the coach, who will have to give up that Alaba who shone so much at the Allianz as a midfielder or even as an interior. And the first to regret it, even if he will never admit it in public, will be the footballer himself.

 

Since last autumn, Alaba had fierce clashes with Bayern's top management for two reasons. The first had to do with money and it was dealt with by his representative, Pini Zahavi, defined by Uli Hoeness as "a greedy piranha" who demanded 15 million euros for the intermediation. The second was related to the claims of the footballer, determined to complete his evolution as a total midfielder. In the image and likeness of Joshua Kimmich, David was not going to settle for the thankless tasks of destruction.

 

LEADER SKILLS

 

Alaba's left foot not only allows him to shine when starting the ball, nor in long displacements or orientation changes from left to right, all of which are very characteristic of Ramos. His technical catalog goes a couple of steps further and makes him an insultingly competent footballer in positional play, as he saw, before anyone else, Pep Guardiola. To that ease in the association is added the quality in the centers and a very powerful shot from outside the area.

 

To refound the project, which still needs to be fine-tuned with several outings, Ancelotti needs guys like Alaba. Competitive character, leadership skills and the experience of a whole decade in Munich will be essential in these times of emotional emptiness. Exhausted faith in Eden Hazard or Gareth Bale and while the veterans hurry their last hurray, the pressure multiplies on Fede Valverde, Martin Odegaard, Vinicius or Rodrygo. In this delicate ecosystem, with the club still licking the wounds of the Super League and counting the days until the inauguration of the new stadium, Alaba lands. It is not just about showing off Ramos' number on his back, but about convincing Real Madrid that something great can be built around him. Of course, he knows the springs to convince the locker room and get closer to people. "I am going to learn the language as soon as possible to communicate with my colleagues," he advanced with total conviction.