Celta Vigo 2 – Real Madrid 2: Three takeaways from the disappointing draw

A new year, a new start – or so the Real Madrid faithful hoped. However, the first La Liga game of the new year left us with practically little to be hopeful for following yet another underwhelming performance from the team in their draw against Celta Vigo on Sunday night. How the tables have turned, last time this team touched the turf of this stadium they were sealing the league title. However, only mere months later, we have seemingly waved goodbye to any hopes of a revival in this title race. Here are our three takeaways from the game.

Ronaldo must find form or be dropped

Cristiano Ronaldo put in probably his worst performance of the season. Ronaldo had absolutely ZERO effect on this game. His shot selection was shocking, his dribbles aimless and pointless, his passes were poor, and his decision making was atrocious at best.

We are now in January and the Euro 2016 winner has scored fewer goals in this La Liga campaign than FC Barcelona midfielder Paulinho. That alone is enough to show just how poor his form in the league campaign has been.

Whilst he may be showing some forms of brilliance in the Champions League, his dismal play in the league must be called out as one of the major reasons for such an underwhelming campaign to date.

Despite being such a vital figure in the team’s successes last year, sentiment shouldn’t warrant starting places. Ronaldo has not been playing to an acceptable standard for the vast majority of this season in the Spanish league.

If Real Madrid wants to have a respectable showing and at least mount a challenge for second or third, this issue must be addressed. We cannot afford for Zidane to keep bubble wrapping Ronaldo’s feelings by not substituting him for these ineffective performances in favor of a player who may actually make a difference.

His decision to sub Bale off instead of Ronaldo tonight was an awful decision. It’s time for action to take place. We can’t afford to keep shouldering Ronaldo playing Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. This is Real Madrid, a team that should be winning La Liga’s and Champions Leagues (Or at least put in a respectable challenge).

They are not a Westend theatre handing out baftas for best interpretation of the aforementioned Jekyll and Hyde.