Arda Guler continues to make his case for a more prominent role at Real Madrid with another composed and efficient display during the team’s 3-2 victory over Leganes.
Starting for the sixth time in La Liga this season, the Turkish midfielder delivered a mature performance that highlighted both his technical skill and tactical awareness.
While Guler may not have dazzled with flashes of brilliance, he provided precisely what Carlo Ancelotti needed—stability, creativity, and composure.
A look at the numbers
His 62-minute outing saw him produce 61 passes, nearly one per minute, with an impressive accuracy rate of 93%. This level of efficiency indicated a player growing in confidence, learning to balance risk-taking with responsible play.
Guler’s instinct for attacking football remained evident. The penalty that led to Real Madrid’s opener was won by him following a dynamic run into the box, an effort rewarded by Lucas Vázquez spotting the opportunity.
Guler’s ability to create chances was also notable. He delivered a pinpoint cross to Kylian Mbappe that narrowly missed the target and left the pitch having completed four key passes.
Furthermore, as per MARCA, his expected assists rate reached an impressive 0.96—making him the first Real Madrid player in the last three years to surpass 0.65 while playing fewer than 70 minutes.
A Copa del Rey player
Although the Copa del Rey has been his primary avenue for regular playing time, with three starts out of four matches and consistently playing over 75 minutes, Guler’s La Liga performances are starting to command attention.
His gradual improvement and adaptability have not gone unnoticed, but breaking into the starting eleven on a consistent basis remains a challenge in Ancelotti’s star-studded squad.
Guler’s next test will likely come against Real Sociedad in the second leg of their Copa del Rey clash.
However, the Turkish youngster will be hoping to continue proving his worth whenever given the opportunity.
His intelligent playmaking and growing influence suggest he is on the right path to becoming a significant figure in Real Madrid’s future.
