Santiago Solari is proving his pedigree in stellar Real Madrid audition

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  • Santiago Solari.

    Given Real Madrid‘s woeful form in front of goal for much of this season, an emphatic 5-0 victory over Viktoria Plzen was much welcomed and also presented Santiago Solari with his best argument yet in his quest to be appointed on a permanent basis.

    Even though the goal-fest came against inferior opposition, it was a win and performance Los Blancos desperately needed in order to continue defending their Champions League crown past the group stages. It was also particularly impressive because it seemed to definitively close the chapter on Julen Lopetegui’s ill-fated stint as Madrid manager.

    Having taken over in the summer, the Spaniard was dismissed following a run of just one win in seven games during which time the team suffered a goal drought that lasted more than eight hours.

    Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale in particular came under heavy criticism during that time – even though the latter struggled with injuries – but both were on the scoresheet against Plzen. It means Madrid have now scored 11 goals in Solari’s three games in charge but just as crucially, have conceded none at the other end.

    In doing so, Solari became the first Madrid manager since Luis Carniglia in 1957 to not concede a goal in his first three games in the dugout.

    It must be noted that these victories and clean sheets have come against Plzen in Europe, Real Valladolid in La Liga and third-tier Melilla in the Copa del Rey – hardly the most testing run of fixtures. However, it’s equally noteworthy that it was against ostensibly inferior opposition that Madrid’s most disappointing performances came under Lopetegui.

    Also take into account that in such turbulent times, taking over a side in disarray, Solari didn’t have the luxury of naming his first-choice back four. Marcelo, Dani Carvajal and Raphael Varane all suffered injuries shortly before the former Madrid player assumed control.

    In fact, the only member of that rearguard he’s been able to call upon is captain Sergio Ramos, the most experienced of the lot no doubt but also the most suspect so far this season. Solari has partnered the World Cup-winning defender with Nacho while the young Alvaro Odriozola, barely utilised under Lopetegui, has deputised at right-back. Sergio Reguilon, promoted from Castilla, has made his first appearances for the senior side on the opposite flank.

    To get a defence that’s being held together by tape and glue to keep three clean sheets on the bounce – largely without incident – is no mean feat but Solari, in his calm and assured way, has managed to do so with aplomb.

    The 42-year-old coach must also be credited for his decisiveness over matters that plagued Lopetegui’s spell, slowly gnawing away at the first team’s sore spots until it was engulfed by malaise.

    Following a summer arrival from Chelsea, Thibaut Courtois was immediately thrust under the microscope with his every misstep and hesitation scrutinised. It led to heated debate over whether he deserved to be the first-choice keeper given that Keylor Navas remained a consistent performer.

    Lopetegui seemed to succumb to outside pressure and never identified his preferred custodian, awkwardly rotating the two keepers which couldn’t have done the defence any favours. Solari appears to have no reservations over Courtois, playing the Belgian in the La Liga and Champions League games after Navas started against Melilla.

    He also showed no hesitation in giving Vinicius Junior a role in the first team. The 18-year-old has impressed under Solari in performances for the Castilla side but was denied opportunities in the first team by Lopetegui. Solari has given the Brazilian his chance off the bench and it’s paid dividends. Vinicius’ deflected effort broke the deadlock against Valladolid while he provided an assist against Plzen.

    According to Spanish football regulations, Solari can only remain as an interim coach for 15 days. That means Madrid will have to make a decision after Sunday’s La Liga trip to Celta Vigo.

    Should he pass that test as well, there’s nothing more that could be expected from his audition for the full-time job. Whether his success will prove enough to sway Florentino Perez is a different matter. The club president may yet opt for a more accomplished manager but momentum is not to be meddled with and as of now, Madrid have it in Solari.

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