Three Takeaways from Real Madrid’s 1-0 Defeat to Villarreal

MADRID, SPAIN - JANUARY 13: Gareth Bale of Real Madrid reacts during the La Liga match between Real Madrid and Villarreal at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on January 13, 2018 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by fotopress/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN - JANUARY 13: Gareth Bale of Real Madrid reacts during the La Liga match between Real Madrid and Villarreal at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on January 13, 2018 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by fotopress/Getty Images)
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Something has to Budge

(Photo by fotopress/Getty Images)
(Photo by fotopress/Getty Images)

Zidane recently said in a press conference that the criticism has made him raise his shield and the old saying “those who fail to learn from their mistakes are doomed to repeat them” sprung to mind. The Frenchman has stuck loyally to what worked last season, despite it quite clearly no longer working this season.

Ultimately something has to give, whether that be the Frenchman’s tactical and/or personal choices or Florentino Perez’s trigger finger, we will wait and see.

Alas as this crisis deepens and the PSG tie looks more and more like an all or nothing to save both Madrid’s season and his own bacon, I find it difficult to see Real Madrid emerging from the carnage of the 2017/18 season with Zidane still in charge.

Next: Real Madrid 0 - 1 Villarreal - How it happened

There is little doubt in my mind that Florentino Perez won’t flinch in firing Zizou if he feels that the club is going in the wrong direction and with each of the last six fixtures (of which we have won just two) Zidane has grown even more defensive of his players and his approach. 

Stay tuned to The Real Champs for more post-match coverage!