Pedja Mijatovic, former Real Madrid player, criticized the Merengues’ midfield during an appearance on Cadena SER, insisting that the current team lacks the creativity necessary to generate quality offensive play. Following the defeat against Lille, Mijatovic remarked, “This midfield is too physical and does not provide the fluidity that Real Madrid needs.”

According to the ex-striker, the trio of Tchouaméni, Valverde, and Camavinga focuses on strength and endurance, but not on creativity and game control—essential characteristics for the style of football that the Madridistas require.

Mijatovic was even more explicit in his comparison to veteran players like Luka Modric and Toni Kroos, who bring not only vision but also the ability to manage the tempo of the game. “We missed Modric and Kroos a lot; they know how to manage games and create opportunities for the forwards,” he commented.

He also defended Vinicius Jr., suggesting that his poor performance against Lille was a result of the lack of useful balls coming from the midfield.

In his analysis, Mijatovic not only held the midfield accountable but also emphasized that Real Madrid needs more balance between physicality and creativity to compete at the European level. “This team needs to improve many things, especially in the transition from defense to attack. You can’t just rely on strength; you need players who understand the game,” he added.