Bernardo Silva's Absence from Real Madrid's Lineup Sparks 'Mystery'

Bernardo Silva has seen his role at Real Madrid diminish significantly in recent weeks, with Spanish press describing his situation as a 'mystery.' The 32-year-old midfielder has played only 15 minutes across club and international matches in the past month, a stark contrast to his earlier season appearances.

Silva began the season as a starter, featuring in three of Real Madrid's first five league matches. However, he has since been relegated to the bench for subsequent games, making only a late substitute appearance against Atletico Madrid. This shift has led to questions about his place in manager Jose Mourinho's plans, especially after his summer transfer from Manchester City.

The current midfield pecking order at Real Madrid appears to favor Federico Valverde, Aurelien Tchouameni, and Eduardo Camavinga, with the team often employing a two-defensive midfielder setup. This configuration has seemingly pushed Silva further down the list of available players.

Mourinho previously commented on Silva's fitness levels in August, stating that the player needed to improve his physical condition after a vacation. However, the Spanish media suggests that fitness is no longer the primary excuse, particularly given Silva's involvement in the initial games of the La Liga season. Reports indicate that his form has been adequate, but opportunities to play have become scarce.

Publications like AS have highlighted the player's near-disappearance from the pitch, noting that he has had minimal impact in recent weeks for both club and country. The return of Tchouameni and the emergence of Camavinga are cited as factors contributing to Silva's reduced playing time.

Marca, meanwhile, explored different tactical possibilities for Silva. The newspaper suggested that while Mourinho initially saw Silva as a partner to Valverde in the double pivot, the player's stamina and drive did not fully align with that role. Another potential role as an attacking midfielder or a player operating closer to the penalty area has also seen limited application, primarily as a late substitute intended to provide an attacking spark, without significant effect.

Real Madrid has experienced a challenging start to the season by their usual standards, currently sitting fourth in the league, six points behind leaders Barcelona. The team is aiming to improve its standing in the Champions League, with an upcoming match against an unbeaten Roma side offering an opportunity to solidify their European campaign. The match could also present a chance for Silva to regain his place in the midfield.