La Liga Round 36: Real Madrid Fine-Tunes Playing Time for Key Players, Can Sorloth Match Haaland?

The 36th round of La Liga continues in the early hours of May 15th, Beijing time. With Real Madrid having already secured the La Liga title and a spot in the Champions League final, their sole objective in the remaining league matches is to keep their main players in top condition while ensuring they get adequate rest. Coach Carlo Ancelotti might need to rely on data analysis software to achieve this balance. Meanwhile, as Erling Haaland closes in on the Premier League Golden Boot, his compatriot Alexander Sorloth is just one goal behind La Liga’s top scorer, Dovbyk. Could Sorloth play a role similar to Joselu at Real Madrid next season?

Real Madrid vs. Alavés - The Science of Playing Time Management

Having secured the La Liga title ahead of schedule, Real Madrid's focus in the remaining three matches is on fine-tuning player fitness and form ahead of the Champions League final. In their last match against already relegated Granada, many expected Real Madrid to rotate their squad heavily. Indeed, Ancelotti made significant changes, resting all starters except Antonio Rüdiger. Surprisingly, the substitutes seemed even more motivated, securing a resounding 4-0 away victory. Brahim Díaz, who missed several chances against Bayern Munich, regained his confidence in the league, scoring twice and being named man of the match. He is likely to be a key player off the bench in the Champions League final. Should Luka Modric leave next season, Díaz could see increased playing time.

Many fans questioned Ancelotti's decision to keep the ever-present Rüdiger in the lineup. However, it may be due to his exceptional physical condition, needing less rest than others and possibly losing form with too much downtime.

Alavés, meanwhile, have been in good form, remaining unbeaten in their last four matches and securing their survival in La Liga. Despite averaging less than a goal per game over the season, they have scored eight in their last four matches. Their efficient counter-attacking has been crucial, often maintaining possession for around 30% of the game but creating as many scoring opportunities as their opponents.

Ancelotti has reportedly planned the playing time for each player in the remaining matches. Real Madrid is expected to perform at 30% capacity at home, while Alavés may show more deference to the newly crowned champions.

Girona vs. Villarreal - Two Norwegian Golden Boots?

Girona secured their spot in next season's Champions League after a victory against Barcelona in the previous round. This achievement is remarkable, considering this is only their fourth season in La Liga. Post-season, many of their key players are likely to attract interest from bigger clubs, but for now, they can savor their success. Girona’s attacking style of play has been a highlight, and they trail Real Madrid in total goals scored by just three. With Real Madrid expected to rest players in the final three rounds, Girona has a chance to outscore them. Additionally, they will support their Ukrainian striker Artem Dovbyk in his quest for the Golden Boot.

Villarreal, despite a strong surge in 2024, are unlikely to secure a spot in next season's European competitions due to a poor start to the campaign. They trail seventh-placed Real Sociedad by six points, who also have a game in hand. Like Girona, Villarreal is rallying behind their Norwegian striker Alexander Sorloth, who is just one goal behind Dovbyk in the race for the top scorer. If Norwegian players were to win the Golden Boot in both the Premier League and La Liga, it would be a remarkable feat, especially considering Norway's national team failed to qualify for the expanded 24-team Euro finals.

Girona won the reverse fixture 2-1 away, ending a five-game losing streak against Villarreal. Both teams are in similar form, likely to perform at around 20% of their capacity in this match.

Real Madrid’s Strategic Rest and Rotation

Real Madrid's strategy for the final three league games is crucial for their Champions League aspirations. The emphasis will be on balancing rest and maintaining match sharpness for key players. Ancelotti’s use of data analysis to monitor player fitness and workload will be critical. The decision to rotate the squad against Granada demonstrated the depth of Real Madrid's bench, with substitute players stepping up impressively.

Alavés' Resurgence

Alavés' recent resurgence has been fueled by an efficient counter-attacking approach. Their ability to score eight goals in the last four matches, despite low possession stats, highlights their tactical discipline and efficiency. Securing their La Liga status early has been a significant achievement, and facing the champions, Real Madrid, provides an opportunity to further test their strategies.

Girona’s Attacking Prowess

Girona’s success this season can be attributed to their attacking mindset. Their ability to score goals consistently has been a key factor in securing a Champions League spot. Supporting Dovbyk in the Golden Boot race adds an extra dimension to their remaining fixtures. The potential of outscoring Real Madrid in total goals by the end of the season is a testament to their offensive capabilities.

Villarreal’s Late Surge

Villarreal’s improvement in 2024 has been noteworthy. Despite their efforts, the early season struggles have left them with too much ground to cover for European qualification. However, Sorloth’s pursuit of the Golden Boot provides a silver lining. His performance has been a bright spot, and matching Haaland’s achievement in the Premier League would be a significant individual accolade.

Tactical Insights and Key Players

Real Madrid’s approach will be closely watched, particularly how Ancelotti manages the playing time of his stars. Brahim Díaz, with his recent form, could be crucial off the bench. For Alavés, their counter-attacking efficiency will be tested against a rotated but formidable Real Madrid side.

In the Girona vs. Villarreal matchup, the focus will be on the attacking threats of Dovbyk and Sorloth. Both players have the potential to influence the Golden Boot race significantly. Girona’s collective attacking strategy versus Villarreal’s reliance on Sorloth will be a fascinating tactical battle.

Conclusion

The 36th round of La Liga presents intriguing narratives as teams look to achieve their remaining goals. Real Madrid’s meticulous planning for the Champions League final, Alavés’ tactical efficiency, Girona’s attacking flair, and Villarreal’s late-season surge all add layers of excitement. The individual race for the Golden Boot between Dovbyk and Sorloth, mirroring the achievements of their compatriot Haaland, provides an additional subplot to these fixtures. As the season draws to a close, the performances in these matches will offer a glimpse into the preparations and potential of the teams heading into the final stretch.