Long-term thinking makes Rafa Benitez the perfect fit for Real Madrid’s circus
On their back of Real Madrid’s largely uninspiring ­­1-0 UEFA Champions League victory over Paris Saint-Germain, the age-old debate between style or substance again emerged as a major point of contention among fans of the club. Back in 2006, Fabio Capello was largely criticized for his “un-Madrid” style of play, and even […]

On their back of Real Madrid’s largely uninspiring ­­1-0 UEFA Champions League victory over Paris Saint-Germain, the age-old debate between style or substance again emerged as a major point of contention among fans of the club. Back in 2006, Fabio Capello was largely criticized for his “un-Madrid” style of play, and even the fairly recent Jose Mourinho tenure was marred by criticisms of his results-focused ideology. Thus, it was no surprise that Rafa Benitez’s summer hire was met with skepticism, yet three months later, Benitez’s results may offer some insight into where Madrid will be at the business end of the campaign.

Currently Madrid remain unbeaten, tied at the top of La Liga with rivals Barcelona. They’ve scored the most goals (24) and allowed the least in the league (four), as well. In the Champions League, it’s been more of the same. Madrid are undefeated and have yet to concede. The 1-0 victory over PSG was even enough to secure qualification to the next round.

Still, performances like those against PSG have done nothing to quell doubters, even if Benitez’s practical approach to the soccer season’s marathon could be a stroke of genius.

SEE MORE: How Cristiano Ronaldo’s movement unlocked the PSG defense.

The initial reaction to Benitez’s appointment, while largely hyperbolic, was admittedly understandable. Much of the reaction centered around the swiftness of the switch. Madrid fans and players alike had become attached to Carlo Ancelotti, a father-like figure that mastered the act of macro managing and brought the coveted “Decima” to the Spanish capital. If Ancelotti was the hands off grandfather, Benitez was the controlling and slightly eccentric uncle, constantly adjusting, endlessly pragmatic.

Ancelotti had, at times, been a dream manager for Los Merengues. A year ago, there was a stark difference on the pitch: Madrid were completely playing teams off the park. In the midst of the record breaking 22-game win streak, Madrid routinely toyed with their opponents, producing the kind of scintillating soccer that left jaws agape. Cristiano Ronaldo was unplayable, netting 25 goals in his first 14 games, and Carlo Ancelotti’s redesigned 4-4-2 brought out the best in everyone. It was all evidenced in Madrid 3-1 defeat of Barcelona in El Clasico, a performance so impressive that it could have yielded far more goals on the day.

But Madrid were building a masterpiece upon the rockiest of foundations. A thin squad, plagued by injuries, was pushed to the limit as Ancelotti chased records in lieu of fitness. The kind of effort expended each game was unsustainable. When the streak finally ended away to Valencia, it exposed the cracks Madrid had been papering over for months. Mental fatigue took its toll, and Madrid largely limped through the second half of the season.

This season, Madrid have bolstered the squad at the behest of Benitez. The likes of Lucas Vazquez, Casemiro and Mateo Kovacic in particular have been essential, filling the gaps left by the injured starters.

SEE MORE: Lionel Messi set to miss El Clasico.

Benitez’s penchant for rotation has been well known throughout his career, and with the kind of talent at his disposal, he’s been more than willing to utilize it. Much of this has been due to the sheer abundance of injuries suffered by Madrid this season (12 players in total have missed time, with the likes of James Rodriguez, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema all out for extended periods) but the fact that he’s been able to keep Madrid not only afloat but thriving in the midst of this injury crisis speaks volumes about his methods.

Remember this was, and is, a dream job for Benitez, far more so than many may have realized. Born and raised in Madrid, not to mention a former member of the club’s youth team, Benitez’s appointment was the culmination of his life’s work. He certainly wasn’t going to screw this up, despite the fact that he seemed to stumble backwards into the position, judging by his recent managerial record.

One gets the sense that while Benitez does all he can to ease the toll on his players throughout the season, he does not extend himself the same luxury, staying late at the Bernabeu, pouring into match data exploring every possible scenario. This is a manager that famously explained to his future wife the meaning of 4-4-2 on their first date.

Rafa Benitez's wife: “On our first date, Rafa explained to me what a 4-4-2 was. He finds it hard to stay away from the game.” #ManagerLAD

— The Football Café (@thefootballcafe) July 28, 2015

In Paris a fortnight ago, Madrid were spectacular from a tactical point of view, largely limiting the interplay between PSG midfielders Marco Verratti and Thiago Motta, the key ingredient in coach Laurent Blanc’s machine. Benitez seems incredibly aware of the career-defining chance he’s been granted and is determined to make the most of it.

His insistence on long-term planning largely revolves around his infatuation with sport science. He’s obsessively concerned about player fitness, often relying on physiological data like blood lactate levels to determine who should start and who should be rested. It’s all detailed on his now-abandoned blog.

Last weekend ,he pulled Luka Modric off at halftime against Las Palmas, preserving him for the PSG matchup. And even against the French side this week, with Madrid reeling and devoid of any creativity in attack, he opted against bringing on the recently fit James Rodriguez. A series of warm up stretches and half sprints on the safety of the touchline would be the Colombian’s only contribution to the game.

SEE MORE: Keylor Navas has been Real Madrid’s ‘Lord and Saver.’

It’s was decision that’s in many ways symptomatic of Rafa Benitez’s practical demeanor, and it’s the kind of planning that likely has this Madrid team set to peak at the perfect time, unlike Ancelotti’s teams that seemed to only play with the next game in mind.

With the Madrid starters all set to return in the coming days, and with El Clasico looming large, Rafa’s true tests are on the horizon. But he’s navigated what could have been a disastrous time for Madrid far better than most would have imagined back in the summer. And while the notoriously hard-to-please-Bernabeu may be dissatisfied with the product in the interim, Benitez is banking on the fact that they’ll be quite pleased with the results at the end of the season.