It’s not often I panic about Real Madrid‘s form this early in the season. But, with still about six months remaining, Los Blancos sluggish start to the season has put Zidane and his players in a “we have to win every game” mindset. Here’s why.
Despite having a game in hand over league-leading FC Barcelona, there is no denying that Real Madrid has a mountain to climb to overcome the 11 point gap between them and their rivals from Catalonia.
Following back to back losses to Girona and Tottenham this past week, tonight’s match against Las Palmas might be the most important match of the season to date.
Everyone is in full crisis mode within the Real camp and Zidane is fully aware of the challenge that lies ahead of his team. “It would not be the first time that we have gone eight points behind in the league,” he said in an interview yesterday.
What’s even more crucial about this match is that it is Real’s last before the international break, and with the team away from the Spanish capital for the next two weeks or so, it is vitally important they get a win and head into the break on a positive note.
Zizou has had to deal with lots of criticism in the last week or so after those two appalling defeats, but he recognizes that these runs of poor form are common in the game.
“The best way to explain the defeats is that this is football. Criticism is just something which I can’t avoid. I’m not the best coach in the world, which maybe people said for a season, and I accept that but right now I’m also not the worst.”
The thing that is funny about all the panicking going on around the club is that there is still plenty of time remaining in this season and Los Blancos will have opportunities to play Atletico Madrid and Barca twice.
However, already at this point in the season, nearly every match is a must win for this team.
📋 Our 18-man squad for tonight's match against @UDLP_Oficial!#RMMovistar #RMLiga pic.twitter.com/Ij9UkbHSCr
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) November 5, 2017
The lineup for today’s match looks relatively similar to the ones of recent matches, but the noticeable difference is the omission of young right-back Achraf Hakimi.
Does Zidane think that the 19-year-old fullback needs more time to train with the first team before being called on so regularly to start? Or is he trying to juggle the lineups in order to motivate the team?
Either way, I trust Zidane and I think this amount of criticism is unnecessary right now. I do agree that the Frenchman was outcoached in London on Wednesday against Spurs, but not all the blame should fall on him.
Look at the players and their lack of production in recent weeks.
Don’t panic on Real Madrid’s current position in the standings but remember, every game from now until the end of the season is a must win.
Next: Real Madrid vs. Las Palmas: La Liga Match preview – Zidane’s first crisis