Real Madrid Versatility Key to Successful Champions League Defence

As the Champions League group stage reached its conclusion on Wednesday, one of the themes to emerge from the final round of matches was the versatility that's required to be successful in Europe. 

Interestingly, such an issue was brought to the fore by Real Madrid's biggest rivals in Barcelona, who, under Luis Enrique, fashioned an unconventional 3-2-4-1 system to destabilise a strong Paris Saint-Germain outfit at the Camp Nou. 

"The system was a little bit of everything," Enrique said after the 3-1 victory, per Inside Spanish Football. "We wanted to create space for the players who create the most imbalance."

Such a tactic was not only an indication of where Barcelona are at during this transitional period, but also an insight into what can be necessary to edge past an opponent of similar standing. Big teams in Europe don't succumb to the predictable—a tag that, fairly or not, the Catalans have carried of late.  

But changes as significant as those seen from Barcelona on Wednesday don't come without risk. It's easy to throw yourself off-balance—"maybe it disturbed them more than us," PSG manager Laurent Blanc said afterwards, per ESPN FC's Dermot Corrigan. 

Enrique, however, was quick to point out that it's the outcome that counts. 

"Risky tactics? I guess that all depends on the results. Whatever you do could work out to be good or bad, depending on the result," the Blaugrana manager remarked. 

The key point here is that versatility is the ticket to success as the Champions League approaches its pointy end. To overcome European heavyweights—the bracket that Real Madrid and Barcelona are in with the likes of Bayern Munich, Chelsea, PSG and Atletico Madrid—one has to be able to triumph in a multitude of ways. 

For some, that's riskier than it is for others. Double-edged if you like. 

And it's why Real Madrid currently stand ahead of their rivals as the competition gets ready to shift up a gear. 

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Under Carlo Ancelotti this season, the European champions have moulded themselves into the most rounded and complete outfit on the continent. Nineteen consecutive victories (a Spanish record) are evidence of that, but just as significant has been the manner of the triumphs.

Like they did under Jose Mourinho, Los Blancos can still operate as the ultimate predator. You know the type—the outfit that remains almost dormant before seizing on the tiniest of weaknesses and exposing it with ruthless efficiency. 

Barcelona saw that machine in operation in small patches earlier this season. Bayern Munich might be still having nightmares about it from last. 

But there's more to this Real Madrid team than that. At their best, they can beat you anyway they like. 

Now marshalled in midfield by Toni Kroos and Luka Modric, Ancelotti's men can also metronomically pass teams to death. Add James Rodriguez and Isco into the mix and—if they're in the mood—winning the ball back can take the better part of five minutes. 

It's one of the main differences between the Mourinho-led Real Madrid and the one conducted by Ancelotti. The Portuguese is the ultimate pragmatist; the end justifies the means. The Italian's approach, meanwhile, is more holistic; the aesthetics form part of process. 

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Such qualities under Ancelotti leave Real Madrid as perhaps the best-placed team in history to defend their Champions League title. 

If you push men forward, Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale will ravage you on the counter-attack. If you sit deep and absorb pressure, Ancelotti's central quartet will pick you apart. 

If you look to disrupt their flow by fouling, two of the world's best free-kick specialists will punish you. Either that or Ronaldo, Sergio Ramos and Karim Benzema will batter you in the air. 

Three at the back? Marcelo and Daniel Carvajal will pull your defence apart out wide.

Two up front? You're too short in midfield. 

Man mark? They'll pull your system all over the place. 

Perhaps try to beat them at their own game? You'll first have to decide which one. 

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Yet, perhaps what's more intimidating again is that Real Madrid don't have to tinker with their system to produce contrasting performances.

Whereas Enrique had to get a little funky with his formation in Barcelona's clash with PSG, Ancelotti can simply roll out his 4-3-3 (a shape that switches to a 4-4-2 to defend) and trust that his staggeringly well-rounded best XI will conjure the method that's necessary.  

Whether the task requires counter-attacking or probing, playing short or playing long, whether it need patience or explosiveness, this Real Madrid team can achieve it while maintaining the balance and comfort of their preferred system. 

Right now, do Los Blancos have a rival who can do the same? Can even Bayern Munich, Real's most obvious challenger, conjure the same variety of methods to dismantle an opponent?

Presently, one senses they can't. And of course, that could change, just as it could for Barcelona or Atletico or Mourinho's Chelsea. 

But until it does, until Europe's other heavyweights develop a similar versatility, Real Madrid will have a step on their Champions League rivals. 

Follow @TimDCollins