Source: REUTERS/Juan Medina
[Saba Sports News] According to Spanish media reports, Real Madrid’s young player Arda Guler seems to have been neglected recently. He has not had any playing opportunities in three consecutive La Liga matches. At the El Sadar Stadium—where he hit the crossbar with a long-range shot last year—Carlo Ancelotti commented at the time, “Even though it didn’t go in, it was a goal for us. Only someone with exceptional talent can make such a shot, and Guler is that player.” However, this absence has continued into the Champions League, where he also did not get any playing time in the two matches against Manchester City. Months have passed, and Guler’s situation within Ancelotti’s tactical system has not improved. This season, he has accumulated 967 minutes of playing time, and despite expectations to carry on the momentum from the end of last season, he is gradually falling into a marginalized situation. After enduring a challenging first season at Real Madrid, Guler is now facing a critical turning point. On one hand, he is still a developing player with untapped potential; on the other hand, being at a top club like Real Madrid means opportunities often come and go quickly. The competition within the club is extremely fierce, and when chances for rotation arose this season, the Turkish player failed to seize the opportunity to prove himself.