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The 13-time Champions League winners Real Madrid are set to kick off their 2021-22 European campaign against Inter Milan on Wednesday. Last year, the teams went head to head in the group stages - the same as this year. Real Madrid won home and away, sealing six points over two legs.
With Carlo Ancelotti back at the helm, Real Madrid have started the 2021-22 La Liga season in fine fashion, winning 10 points from four fixtures. Their early exploits have granted them a seat at the summit, but there is room for improvement.
Real Madrid are set to encounter their first real challenge of the season against Inter and it is unlikely to be a walk in the park. Today, we will take a look at Los Merengues’ weaknesses and give you five reasons why the trip to Inter could be trickier than expected.
#5 Eden Hazard is still not at his best
Real Madrid went all out in the summer of 2019 to sign Eden Hazard from Chelsea. The €115million signing was meant to be Real Madrid’s creator-in-chief. Unfortunately, injuries and lack of fitness have kept him from living up to the billing.
Eden Hazard has featured in all four La Liga games for Real Madrid this season, but he is yet to complete a full 90-minute match. His fitness is still not up there and that translates to sub-par displays on the pitch. Yes, the Belgian is looking considerably more confident this season, but he is yet to be as decisive as Real Madrid need him to be. With Vinicius Jr producing the goods on the left, Hazard is also not playing in his preferred position. Out of position, Hazard has often failed to capitalize on the opportunities his team have created.
Hazard has only registered a single assist in four La Liga games this season and needs to up the ante on Wednesday to improve his tally.
#4 Karim Benzema’s fatigue
Since Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure to Juventus in the summer of 2018, Real Madrid have relied solely on Karim Benzema to lead the frontline. The Frenchman, who usually played second fiddle to Ronaldo in attack over the last nine seasons, did not disappoint. Benzema has been Real Madrid’s most consistent performer over the last three seasons and the team needs him at this best on Wednesday.
Benzema, who featured in France in the last round of World Cup qualifiers, has been playing consistently for club and country for a year. Even with negligible rest, he is performing at his best, emerging as La Liga 2021-22’s leading goalscorer with five goals in four matches.
The striker, who scored a hat-trick on Sunday, is expected to start at Inter, but he might not be as sharp as he generally is. His substitute Luka Jovic is part of the traveling squad, but we do not expect him to start at the San Siro against Inter.
#3 Lack of a plan B
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti holds a special place in every Madridista’s heart, for he was the orchestrator of Real Madrid’s famous “La Decima.” Ancelotti not only won Real their 10th Champions League, but he was also the last manager to lead them to the Copa del Rey in 2014. In his second spell, the Madridistas are expecting him to be just as influential, expecting him to lead the team to multiple trophies once again.
Ancelotti has always been an excellent manager, making his teams play an exciting brand of football. However, he has never been flexible when it comes to his game plans. He sticks with his initial plan irrespective of how badly it is going and often ends up paying the price.
On Wednesday, Inter will look to run behind Real's defenders and hit them on the break. Failing to contain the runs could turn out to be devastating for the visitors. So far, Ancelotti has not managed to find a way to block counters, and we are not confident of seeing him adapt this quickly.
#2 Casemiro’s poor form
Like Karim Benzema, Casemiro has been playing constantly for his club and country over the last year. Ravaged by fatigue, Casemiro has been performing well below his sky-high standards, affecting the flow of Real Madrid’s generally impressive midfield. Casemiro is the glue that holds the Real Madrid midfield together, which is why his poor displays are sticking out like a sore thumb.
With Toni Kroos ruled out with a groin injury, Madrid will need to rely once again on Casemiro in midfield for the game at Inter. The Brazilian needs to find a way to plug the holes in defence and cut Inter's passing lanes as he so expertly does. Any slip-up on Wednesday would allow Inter to land a killer blow and seal maximum points against the 13-time European champions.
#1 Real Madrid’s leaky defence
Real Madrid lost Raphael Varane and Sergio Ramos in the summer transfer window, leaving them with Nacho and Eder Militao at the heart of defense. David Alaba has been acquired and Jesus Vallejo recalled, but the former is a natural left-back, not a centre-back. The lack of quality in centre-back positions has already been exploited by La Liga teams Celta Vigo and Levante. Los Blancos conceded five goals in these two matches alone, which is concerning, to say the least.
With the likes of Nicolo Barella, Edin Dzeko, Lautaro Martinez and Ivan Perisic waiting to pull the trigger, Madrid need to be at their best. Alaba’s return to the squad is encouraging, but the lack of cover in the middle is unlikely to be fixed. It is going to be a long night for Madrid defenders in Milan, and they will need to be uncharacteristically compact to shut Inter out.
