'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#2 A more conservative defensive approach
It was startling to see the bravado with which Real Madrid players have been reacting to the losses against Girona and Tottenham. All of Sergio Ramos, Casemiro and Cristiano Ronaldo have come out and said that things are 'fine', 'there's no need to panic' and that Madrid were just unlucky.
No.
This reeks of denial of a side that seems to have inexplicably lost its swagger and confidence. Zinedine Zidane faces a tough test in his nascent managerial career - but the answer is already there - Madrid need to opt for a more conservative defensive style.
Fullbacks overlapping is a fundamental play for Madrid, and that can remain, but centrally, things are rather concerning. Whether he is under instructions or maybe he's become simply too big for his boots, but Casemiro needs to rein himself.
The defensive midfielder has been found much further up the pitch plenty of times this season, with the result that when the transition happens, Sergio Ramos is forced to get forward, and only Nacho/Varane can cover what is often two players in support for the attacking side. Most issues can be solved if Casemiro simply goes back to his defensive discipline of last season.
