Real Madrid can bid La Liga goodbye after their defeat to Girona
After 2 losses and 2 draws in just 10 games this season, La Liga is well and truly out of Real Madrid’s grasp.
Real Madrid have lost to Girona today, after a dismal performance on all fronts. To put this in perspective, this is the first time in 27 years that Madrid have lost to a league debutante. Of the 10 league games this season, Madrid have won 6, lost 2 and drawn 2. And they haven’t played the likes of Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Sevilla, Villareal or Celta Vigo yet.
Barcelona is sitting pretty at the top with 28 points. Madrid is struggling in every game, not looking convincing on any front. At the start of the season, it looked like the reverse would play out. But the fortunes have reversed for Los Blancos and Blaugranas since the Spanish Super Cup. And how.
While it is just October, and we are just 10 games in to the season, La Liga is all but lost for Madrid in the opinion of yours truly. Here is why they will not be able to catch up to Barcelona:
Collective loss of form / spirit
Real Madrid are looking like a shadow of their former selves. The strikers can’t find goals, the defence crumbles under slightest pressure, the mid-field is unable to find a foot in the match and the keeper has been caught napping at multiple occasions.
While injuries and complacency have played a part, Real Madrid also have themselves to blame for poor business in the summer window. Particularly in defence, attack and goalkeeping. Basically, all areas barring mid-field.
The squad is what it is till the winter window. Even then, any business there may be too little too late because they will most probably drop more points till then. Unless they magically regain their form, it looks very unlikely that things are going to change for the better for the Royal Whites anytime soon.
Questionable tactics and coaching
Zidane was responsible for Madrid’ summer transfer business, and he dropped the ball there. Enough has been said about that aspect earlier, so I am going to focus on where is dropping the ball now.
- Formation: Either other teams have found a way around Zidane’s mid-field diamond, or the team has been poor in execution. In either case, the formation needs to change. And NOW. Zidane seems to believe otherwise, and hasn’t recognized this yet.
- Substitutions: In multiple occasions this season, he was late in making the right substitutions. Whether it was in creating more width or adding more pace to the play, he hasn’t looked sharp in identifying the right player / stage of play for substitution.
- Motivation: Last season, Zidane made everyone earn their spot in the team. Which is why even the B team played with all their heart. It was evident that they wanted to make their case to Zidane. However, a lack of first-team options has made the regular starters complacent this season. And Zizou seems to have lost that man-management and motivational skill which brought the best out of the entire squad last year.
After the loss to Girona, Zidane said that Real Madrid fought till the end. That cannot be further from the truth. Acceptance is the first step in dealing with a problem, and Zidane can’t seem to recognize what’s ailing his team.
Barcelona look quite comfortable at the top
Barcelona are sitting pretty at the top of La Liga table, with 28 points out of a possible 30, and 8 ahead of Real Madrid. They have only dropped points against Atletico Madrid. They haven’t played particularly well on most occasions, but they have been successful in getting positive results. And they will most probably continue to enjoy their run.
- Messi is doing what he does best: bailing Barca out of tough spots. He has already scored 16 goals for them this season, and this is just October. He doesn’t look like slowing down anytime soon.
- Quite a few other players seem to have found their scoring boots, and are pitching in with goals.
- Dembele hasn’t even played meaningfully for them yet. If he plays to his potential once he is back, Real Madrid are doomed.
- They seem to have recovered their tiki-taka style and are gaining momentum with each positive result
- Given the difference of 8 points, even two Classico wins for Real Madrid won’t be enough. And we know how utterly difficult it is to win both Liga Classicos in one season.
- They look hungrier for success than Real Madrid. Last 2 Champions Leagues to their bitter rivals hasn’t gone down well with the Catalans. And that possibly is the biggest reason they will probably succeed.
Having said that, it’s still possible that Madrid somehow turn it around. This is football after all, where fortunes are very fickle. And Cristiano Ronaldo may have a part to play in that. Now maybe a good time to prove his stature as the best player in the world.
The chances of a reversal of fortunes are very, very slim though. And they will get further dim if Real Madrid continue to play without direction or motivation.
Next: Girona 2 - 1 Real Madrid - quick take reaction to the defeat in La Liga