Real Madrid’s dramatic late win against AEK Athens did little to disguise the uncertainty in their performance, with the absence of Arda Guler exposing a lack of creativity, balance and clarity in attack.
Guler’s vision and ability to organise play were missed throughout the match. Without the Turkey international, Real Madrid struggled to find the controlled build-up and intelligent movement that can give their forwards better opportunities, relying instead on physicality and forward momentum.
The result also raised questions about the decision to restore Vinicius Junior to the starting line-up. According to AS, blaming the Brazilian alone for the team’s decline would be too simplistic. Although Vinicius endured a difficult game and was below his best, the bigger issue was the tactical choice to sacrifice an additional midfielder in order to field another winger.
Mourinho’s decision leaves Real Madrid exposed
Jose Mourinho left Guler out of the squad to spare him the journey and preserve him for Real Madrid’s next fixture against Valencia at Mestalla. The decision suggested the Spanish side’s meeting with Valencia had been given greater priority, and the late victory in Athens may ultimately make it appear justified.
However, Guler’s absence had a clear impact. Real Madrid lacked the Turkish player’s understanding of space and his capacity to add creativity while helping his team maintain its shape in possession.
AEK Athens took advantage of that uncertainty and produced a stronger display than expected. Aboubakari Koita stood out for his daring attacking transitions and technical quality, while Jasinovic and Maier impressed during the opening stages. Real Madrid also struggled to recover defensively, leaving gaps between the lines for their opponents to exploit.
Eduardo Camavinga improved as the match progressed but could not provide the same stability as Aurelien Tchouameni in the holding role. Camavinga’s natural tendency to roam and his occasional distance from the tactical demands of the position affected Real Madrid’s balance.
Jude Bellingham gradually took greater control of the contest. His constant movement, ability to attack central spaces and willingness to move wide according to the demands of the game helped Real Madrid regain the initiative. The increased influence of the England midfielder allowed his side to apply more pressure, although their attacks still lacked consistency and precision.
Forwards fail to find their rhythm
Vinicius was unable to create the space needed to dominate AEK Athens’ defenders, while Kylian Mbappe had limited influence outside the final phase of attacks. Diomande was also less threatening after moving to the right flank.
Real Madrid found more success down the wings, where Denzel Dumfries and Marc Cucurella targeted areas that appeared vulnerable in the Greek side’s defence. Mourinho encouraged his players to exploit those weaknesses.
AEK Athens led twice, but Real Madrid refused to settle for a draw and eventually completed the comeback late in the match. The victory owed as much to persistence and determination as to superior ideas or technical control.
Federico Valverde was among those in contention to make the decisive impact, while Dumfries’ runs on the right were particularly important in the 2-2 equaliser. He used a superb pass from Bellingham to run behind Koita before delivering for Mbappe.
Real Madrid are listed to face Valencia in La Liga on 07 November 2026. AEK Athens are listed to play Levadiakos in the Greek Super League on 08 November 2026.
