5 reasons why Real Madrid could turn things around in 2018

At the end of the 2016-2017 season, Real Madrid were crowned the kings of Europe for an unprecedented 12th time. That, coupled with a record-breaking 33rd League crown, made them untouchable in the world of football. Madrid could not put a foot wrong and Zinedine Zidane was hailed as the man with the Midas touch.

Six months and a questionable transfer window later, Real are a shadow of the side that brushed aside Juventus by four goals to one in Cardiff. Despite some good performances, Real have mostly failed to impress for the majority of the 2017-2018 season. The departures of some established names in the summer has raised questions as to whether the current squad is as potent and deep as the one from the season gone by.

They currently sit 14 points behind FC Barcelona in the league following the 3-0 El Clasico drubbing at the Bernabéu. Real have also struggled in the Champions League, with a crushing loss to Tottenham condemning them to second place in the group which in turn has led them to be drawn against Paris Saint-Germain for the Round of 16; arguably one of the favourites to lift the trophy.

Now having dispersed for the winter break midway through the season, we take a look at 5 reasons why Real Madrid could still bounce back and secure a trophy or two come the end of the season.

---

#5 A mix of youth and experience in the squad

Despite the poor form that has plagued Los Blancos during the 2017-18 season, the fact of the matter remains that Real Madrid feature one of the deepest and best squads in Europe right now. Whilst the summer transfer window did rob them of superstars such as James Rodriguez and Alvaro Morata, Zinedine Zidane still has the luxury of calling on the likes of Marco Asensio, Isco and Lucas Vazquez amongst others from the bench.

Whilst it is always great to start a season on the right foot, one should remember that trophies are won in May and not at Christmas, and with a squad as deep and talented as this at their disposal, don't be surprised if Real Madrid manages to turn things around come the new year.

#4 January Transfer Window

Florentino Perez may have to make some big decisions in January

Adding to the previous point, come the month of January, Real Madrid will have the option to bolster a squad already brimming with talent in a bid to steady their ship and challenge for trophies in the business end of the season.

Whilst Zidane has previously stated that nothing needs to be changed, the recent El Clasico loss to their rivals FC Barcelona added to the fact that they find themselves in fourth place, 14 points behind the league leaders with a daunting Champions League round of 16 clash against Paris Saint-Germain in February, means that the club may be forced to splurge to ensure that they don't finish the season without silverware.

Many potential transfers and rumours have been circulating in the media for some time now, with the likes of Timo Werner, Mauro Icardi, Kepa Arrizabalaga amongst others being tipped to join during the transfer window. If Madrid do manage to make a high profile signing, their fortunes could take a turn for the better.

#3 Winter Break

Zidane and co should use the winter break to rejuvenate themselves for 2018

This may not sound revolutionary but hear me out. A top club like Real would be expected to play over 60 games in a season lasting 10 months. Even with a squad as deep as Madrid's, the sheer physical exertion of playing in so many fixtures cannot be underestimated. This is why the winter break can be vital in making or breaking a team's chances of silverware.

We've heard top managers in the Premier League speak out against a lack of a winter break in England and arguably this has hampered their influence in the latter stages of the Champions League over the last few years. Since its inception in 1992, English clubs have only managed to win the Champions League four times, which speaks volumes about the benefits of having a winter break.

Despite the poor start to the 2017-18 season, Real could use the time off to rejuvenate, refocus and recharge themselves for a better showing in the crucial second half of the season.

#2 Experience

Marcelo (right) and Ramos (left) are among the veterans Madrid will bank upon in 2018

This is a big factor in the title challenge of any team. In the world of football, it is rare to witness a team stocked with youngsters to romp to glory and lift trophies mostly because they lack something so crucial; experience. Thankfully for Madrid, they posses an abundance of it.

Twelve of the squad players who won La Decima in 2014 are present at the club in 2017, most of whom are well established first team starters. Since then the club has added two more Champions League trophies and a league title amongst other silverware to their cabinet.

To put it short, Real Madrid have been there and done that. They know what it takes to win. In their past three Champions League triumphs, Madrid have overcome the likes of Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Atletico Madrid and Juventus. The players have lived and breathed at the pinnacle of football and so has the coach. The value of that experience will come to the fore on the big stages i.e the semi-finals and the finals.

#1 Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo will have to be at his best for Real Madrid to achieve success

This may sound like a cliche but it is no surprise that Madrid are a much better team when Ronaldo is at his goalscoring best. Since his debut in 2009, Ronaldo has plundered over 400 goals whilst donning the Los Merengues shirt.

One needs only rewind to the previous season (2016-2017) when Cristiano seemingly started rather poorly by his lofty standards but then whizzed into top gear towards the latter stages of the season blitzing the likes of Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid, scoring hat-tricks against both in the Champions League whilst also securing a brace in the final against Juventus and becoming the most prolific scorer in the history of the competition.

Ronaldo went on to finish the season with 42 goals as Madrid romped to a Champions League and League double for the first time in nearly 60 years. At the turn of the year, should Cristiano rediscover his free-flowing best, few would argue against the title credentials of Real Madrid.