For the first time in its history, Real Madrid will start its season without any player wearing the number 9. And it’s not just a sad symbol.
The transfer window ended for Real Madrid, after a quiet day on Friday. And it’s now official, the Merengues will play this first part of the season without a number 9 in their squad. Literally, since no player has taken over the number vacated by the “Nueve”, Karim Benzema, gone to Al-Ittihad.
🚨 This is the FIRST time EVER that Real Madrid will play a season without number 9. pic.twitter.com/E6OzHWmVlM
—Madrid Zone (@theMadridZone) September 1, 2023
This absence of n°9 is not only symbolic. It also reflects a big lack in the workforce of Carlo Ancelotti, very poor in quantity in the offensive sector. Since he has a royal midfielder, the Italian coach opted for a 4-4-2 diamond, with Jude Bellingham behind two attackers. Against Getafe, it will probably be Joselu and Rodrygo, because Vinicius Jr is injured. And as other options, Ancelotti only has Federico Valverde and Brahim Diaz, who are not centre-forwards.
The Real Madrid transfer window had however started well, since Joselu, Bellingham, Arda Güler and Fran Garcia had signed at the beginning of July. But no one else followed, except goalkeeper Kepa, recruited to compensate for the serious injury of Thibaut Courtois. Benzema left on June 7, and Real only replaced him with Joselu, who probably doesn’t have the build to start all season at a club of this stature. The names of Harry Kane, Victor Osimhen and Kylian Mbappé circulated well on the Madrid side, but President Florentino Perez ultimately remained very passive. What to worry about this season?
