Real Madrid: Three things that must improve after the break

Real Madrid won the La Liga last season, thanks to their brilliant defensive record in recent years. So there are still many positives this season, but there are also things that must improve

The defending champions Real Madrid have started their season just the way they started it last season. It’s the same old story again: narrow wins, Thibaut Courtois coming to the rescue again and again, a lack of creativity compared to other top teams in Europe, and an inability to kill the games when the opportunity presents itself. The season is long, and Real Madrid will have to improve if they want to defend La Liga and make a mark on UCL again.

More Solid Defense from Real Madrid

Real Madrid has drawn a game and won another three in their opening four, conceding only two goals. Though it looks like a solid defensive effort considering Raphael Varane and Sergio Ramos have put some stable performances, it comes down to the Belgian’s brilliant saves to bail Real out more often than not.

Even Zinedine Zidane has acknowledged this. In one of the post-match conferences, he said, “Courtois has saved us. We are going to try and not let our goal suffer that much”.

If Real has to defend the title, the Madrid backline will have to put consistent solid performances and make life easy for Courtois at the back.

Real Madrid need more creativity in the final third

After a brilliant season at Real Sociedad, Real Madrid called Martin Odegaard back to have more creativity in the final third but he is yet to announce his arrival with performance. He had a couple of decent games, but he will only get better with time. At the moment, it is last season – part 2. Madrid is not able to create tons of chances. Looking at those spectacular midfield options Real have, this seems like glaring contrast. Finishing remains another headache.

Injuries grappling regular starting forwards and lack of confidence in star signing Luka Jovic are the things to blame. Against Levante, Madrid forwards had a couple of chances to kill the game but they couldn’t. The league is very long and relying on 1-0 wins at such an early stage is a risky business. Madrid will have to improvise a lot in creating and finishing the chances.

There’s one silver lining though. They went on to win the title last time despite these same problems early in that season. Having a full-strength, injury-free squad at Zidane’s disposal should solve the problems, fans hope.

Real Madrid need better luck with injuries

The season is just getting underway. We are in the fourth game of the season, and Madrid already has 11 players injured. There were 12 injuries alone in October 2020, out of which seven were trauma and five were muscular, as per MARCA. Galactico signing Eden Hazard is still out, and both the right-backs are unavailable.

To compete in all competitions Zidane will need his all players in perfect shape as much as possible. Most of these injuries are common in football but Real always has that huge pressure of winning everything every season. Thus it is imperative that players remain in top shape and form.