Arda Güler Shines Despite Defeat As Castilla Youngsters Get Valuable Experience
Real Madrid suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to AC Milan in their first pre-season game at Soldier Field, fielding a heavily rotated squad without many of their star players. The match provided an opportunity for younger talents and Castilla players to showcase their abilities against top-level opposition.
The absence of key players such as Vinicius Jr, Jude Bellingham, Fede Valverde, and Kylian Mbappe, along with those who participated in Euro 2024, was evident. However, this allowed for some of Real Madrid’s promising youngsters to step into the spotlight.
Arda Güler emerged as the standout performer for Los Blancos, impressing on both ends of the field. The young Turkish midfielder’s pressing led to two good chances in the first half, while his ability to evade pressure, carry the ball through traffic, and create opportunities for teammates showcased his immense potential.
Brahim Diaz also caught the eye with his dangerous runs through the middle, long-range shooting, and incisive through balls. Despite these bright spots, Real Madrid struggled to find the back of the net.
At halftime, manager Carlo Ancelotti made wholesale changes, withdrawing stars like Güler, Endrick, and Luka Modric. The second half saw the introduction of seven Castilla players, including 16-year-old Joan Martinez.
The decisive moment came in the 55th minute when Sami Chukwueze capitalized on a turnover by Brahim Diaz, slotting home a pass from Liberal to give AC Milan the lead.
While the result may be disappointing for Real Madrid, the focus remains on building fitness and integrating young talents into the first-team setup. The club will look to bounce back in their next pre-season fixture against Barcelona in New Jersey on August 3rd, with the potential return of Vinicius, Rodrygo, and Militão bolstering their ranks.