Bad times at the Bernabéu: Real Madrid’s four biggest problems right now
By Sachin Bhat
Lopetegui’s head-scratching decisions
Julen Lopetegui is a good manager. But his decisions lately have left the fans, well, scratching their heads.
More from The Real Champs
- Manchester City hold talks over Real Madrid target
- Real Madrid player confirms he is playing with a fracture
- Real Madrid superstar rejected Premier League clubs confirmed
- Spaniard ready to join Real Madrid instead of Liverpool
- PSG want €100 million Real Madrid player to replace Kylian Mbappe
In the 1-1 draw against Athletic Bilbao, he left Casemiro out of the starting line-up before realizing his mistake and subbing the Brazilian on at half-time. Last night, he opted to ostracize skipper Sergio Ramos completely from the squad that flew to the Russian capital, citing conservation of energy as a reason.
But he paid the price for that too, and a heavier one.
No one knows what is going on in the Spaniard’s head, especially when making such decisions. When you’re left-back, who happens to be the best in the business, is absent, how can you opt to leave out the center-back who also happens to the best in his position?
Moreover, Luka Modric was on the bench for this game, but more disturbing is his sparing use of Mariano.
The Dominican Republic star was resigned so as to help ease the goal-scoring burden off Bale and Benzema, but he’s played only 110 minutes of football so far and has yet to start a match. He struck in the 3-0 whitewash of AS Roma in the previous game after coming from the bench to show a glimpse of his potential, but Loptegui somehow remains unconvinced.
He’s walking on eggshells right now, and better get it right before it’s too late.
Injuries
Real Madrid’s casualty list is growing by the day. After Marcelo’s calf injury in the Sevilla battering, it has literally opened the floodgates. Gareth Bale and Isco soon followed, and after last night, even Dani Carvajal has joined them on the treatment table. So that’s four of the starters on the injury list!
Are you serious?
Next. Real Madrid held scoreless for the third straight match in loss to CSKA Moscow. dark
As if the declining performances on the field weren’t enough. These high-profile casualties serve to compound the misery, while the club’s decision not to bolster the squad with new signings is now coming home to roost.
As I said, nothing is right with this team currently.