Real Madrid: The 3 biggest keys to winning La Liga in 2020-21

Real Madrid need to do a better job of taking their chances

So far in La Liga this season, Real Madrid only have one player with more than three goals, and that is star striker Karim Benzema. Casemiro and Fede Valverde are next on the list with three apiece from midfield, while the wide forwards have a meager four goals combined. Yes, Marco Asensio and Vinicius Junior have fewer combined goals than Case.

The inefficiency is staggering. There are literally only two teams in the league with a lower percentage of shots on target on their attempts, and those teams are Deportivo Alaves and Sevilla.

Real Madrid are underperforming their xG as a team by exactly two goals. That means they are fifth-lowest in the league at converting their chances, which is completely unacceptable by Real Madrid standards. The worst culprit is Vinicius Junior, who has an xG of -2.1, but the likes of Asensio and Luka Jovic have also disappointed in front of goal when they’ve had chances.

Zidane can affect the tactics, starting XI, and motivations of the team. But he cannot help the team convert the chances they do create. That is on the players alone. Benzema is doing his part and is, once again, carrying the team as a Pichichi and Player of the Year candidate. Nobody else has stepped up. Eden Hazard should help if he’s healthy, but there is a reason why I, unfortunately, must use the word “if”.