Numbers show 32-year-old star’s growing importance to Real Madrid under Jose Mourinho after a slow start
· Yahoo Sports
Real Madrid have seen their performances improve in recent weeks following Jose Mourinho’s tactical tweaks.
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The team looks much better organised defensively and has also gained more balance and control in midfield following the changes.
One player who is helping Madrid achieve that control, especially in midfield, is Portuguese midfielder Bernardo Silva.
A remarkable statistic helps underline his importance. Excluding El Clasico, Real Madrid average 57% possession with Bernardo on the pitch.
The number drops to just 47% in games where the former Manchester City star is absent. In that 10% difference lies Real Madrid’s control.
Bernardo Silva transforming Madrid’s midfield control
The numbers clearly indicate that Madrid see more of the ball in games where Bernardo Silva is involved.
His greatest strength has never simply been passing the ball accurately. It is his ability to drop deep to receive the ball, take possession under pressure and escape tight situations.
Bernardo Silva has emerged as one of Real Madrid’s most important players in recent weeks. (Picture credit: Real Madrid website)
His intelligence also allows him to find teammates in better positions and pick out Madrid’s runners like Kylian Mbappe and Yan Diomande.
Against Barcelona, this quality was on display, especially in the first half, when Bernardo repeatedly picked out Yan Diomande’s runs from defensive midfield.
For a Madrid side that has many direct players in their ranks, having someone like Bernardo can be the perfect calming influence.
It is very similar to how Toni Kroos provided control, which allowed the rest of Madrid’s attack to thrive and score goals.
Mourinho finding the right balance at Real Madrid
For the first few weeks of the season, Jose Mourinho struggled to find the right midfield balance at Madrid.
He started Aurelien Tchouameni and Federico Valverde as a pairing, but the duo could not offer the quality on the ball that Bernardo can.
Is Bernardo finally coming into his own in a Madrid jersey? (Photo by Mateo Villalba Sanchez/Getty Images)
Mourinho’s decision to switch the captain to right-back has now made such a midfield pairing possible.
Bernardo may not have had a great start to life in the Spanish capital, but his performances have been quietly positive in recent weeks.
If he can keep up this form in the coming games, there is no doubt that Mourinho will start giving him more responsibility as the season goes on.
Bernardo Silva has the potential to emerge as Real Madrid’s best summer signing, and it remains to be seen how he fares in the upcoming weeks.