Real Madrid’s 2-3 loss to Albacete generated plenty of headlines, but amid the focus on the scoreline and the club’s broader crisis, another troubling issue slipped under the radar.
Two of Real Madrid’s most promising young players, Arda Güler and Franco Mastantuono, displayed performances that raised significant concerns about their development.
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Both arrived with high expectations and represented significant investments for the club. However, during the match against Albacete, they seemed far from the required standard, and more worryingly, their performances suggested regression rather than stagnation.
A challenging night for Güler
The situation for Güler is becoming increasingly alarming.
Inside the club, there’s a growing consensus that the expectations placed on him may be too much to bear at this point.
The statistics from the Albacete match tell a revealing tale; Güler had a pass completion rate of 87%, the lowest among Real Madrid’s midfielders.
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In attacking positions, the decline was even steeper, with only 82% accuracy in the final third.
Franco Mastantuono had a disappointing performance against Albacete. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
Even more striking was his involvement; despite being the central playmaker, Güler managed only 65 completed passes—an unusually low number for someone tasked with orchestrating the game.
Mastantuono’s struggles
Mastantuono’s situation is different yet similarly troubling, as the Argentine is acutely aware of his underwhelming performances, and this self-awareness seems to weigh heavily on him.
His display against Albacete reflected these ongoing struggles. Besides scoring a goal, which was his sole shot on target, he provided little else to the team’s effort.
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He attempted just one additional shot and completed only two dribbles throughout the match.
The most concerning statistic, however, is his lack of playing time; Mastantuono has logged only 172 minutes over the last 15 matches.
He has almost faded from the rotation, and when opportunities do arise, he has not capitalized, leaving a sour impression instead.
It is important to note that both players have faced physical challenges, struggled with rhythm, and dealt with an unstable team environment.
Nonetheless, at this level, talent must translate into impactful performances, and currently, neither player is consistently achieving that.