The match against RB Leipzig (3-2) made several things clear for Real Madrid. Firstly, they cannot just walk into games and win. Even less so in the Champions League and no matter how much they rely on their idyll with this competition. But also that there are players who are not yet ready to take over from the undisputed starters.
This is the case of Camavinga. Last season, the Frenchman showed many virtues, such as a great quality on the ball, good finishing, physical power to run and overflow...but also some unforgivable shortcomings in a team like Real Madrid.
It was thought when he was signed that he could become a new Casemiro. However, his tactical inconsistency in playing as a defensive midfielder was all too visible and Ancelotti soon gave up on the attempt. Hence the signing of Tchouaméni this summer before even knowing that the Brazilian would end up at Manchester United.
But back to Camavinga, this season was to be the one of his consecration, the one to take minutes away from the eternal Kross and Modric in that role as a midfielder. His problem is that, when he has had opportunities in the starting eleven, he has not taken them. Against the Germans, he lost balls in dangerous areas, abused his driving, especially in the first half, and did not provide clarity in attack when he was incorporated into attacking areas. Their biggest problem was that they lacked the quality of Modric, the grit of Valverde and even the vision of Ceballos, all of whom were injured.
He has not fared particularly well with Tchouameni. They didn't gel on the opening day of LaLiga against Almeria and neither did they do so in Leipzig, in the first defeat of the season. Even in France, they have not been able to get on well together. Deschamps tried them against Denmark and the experiment failed.
But while his compatriot has been given a starting berth with the departure of Casemiro, Camavinga is being overshadowed by Kroos and Modric. So much so that, when both are physically fit, his place remains, and will remain, on the bench.
