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Real Madrid under Zidane won the UEFA Champions League and the La Liga title last season and looked quite unbeatable winning 5 titles in 2017, the best ever year in Real Madrid's rich history. The team even when looking down was ignited by a spark of individual talent that they have in every position on the pitch.
However fast forward 6 months and Real Madrid find themselves in a rut. They are 16 points off the top in La Liga table sitting at the fourth position, have lost to Tottenham in UCL, finishing second in UCL group. Everything which could have possibly gone wrong has gone wrong for the European and World Champions.
So, what all has led to this massive collapse at the club. We take a look at the top five factors which have contributed to Madrid's poor showing this season.
#5 Profligacy in front of goal
Real Madrid has been known as one of the best-attacking sides in Europe. In the last 8 seasons, Real Madrid have scored more than 100 goals per season pointing to their deadly attacking ability.
However this season, Los Blancos has suffered in front of goal. After their record of scoring in 73 consecutive games ended in a 1-0 defeat against Betis at home, they have played 0-0 draws against Bilbao and Atletico Madrid too. Real Madrid has scored only 32 goals in first 17 games of La Liga pointing to the fact that they have been poor in front of goal.
Ronaldo and Benzema both have struggled to score in La Liga and Real Madrid as a team also haven't created enough clear-cut chances for them. This inefficiency in the attack has cost Real Madrid to no end and they need to find the answers quickly to savour the season.
#4 The underperforming fullbacks
Dani Carvajal and Marcelo are arguably the best in their positions. Last season their involvement on both sides of the pitch was instrumental in Real winning the double. Their attacking contributions especially were very important and a lot of Real Madrid game-play depends on the performance of their fullbacks.
However, this season both Carvajal and Marcelo have struggled to perform on the same level as they did last season. Marcelo especially has completely looked off the mark and their underperformance has affected Real Madrid. They haven't provided the same service to the forwards from crosses as they did last season and hence their assist numbers are down when compared to that last season.
Real Madrid would need their fullbacks to step up and perform to improve.
#3 The curious case of Cristiano Ronaldo
Historically when a player goes out of goal-scoring form he fails to score in every competition or when a player is in top form in front of goal he scores goals across all competitions.
However, in the case of Cristiano Ronaldo, it is a bit different. While Cristiano Ronaldo has banged on goals in other competitions, he has struggled to find the back of the net regularly in La Liga which has affected Real Madrid to no end.
Cristiano Ronaldo scored in each Champions League group stage game becoming the first player ever to do so scoring 9 goals in the process, scored in both games of Club World Cup helping Real Madrid to win the title, scored in 30 minutes against Barcelona in Spanish Super Cup.
However, in La Liga he just can't score at the moment it seems. He has scored just 4 goals in 13 La Liga games this season. This has created problems for Real Madrid in La Liga as they find themselves on 4th position, 16 points off the top.
Real Madrid would need their talisman to step up if they are to have any chance of winning the silverware this season.
#2 The midfield woes
Real Madrid on paper possesses arguably the best midfield line up in the world. With the likes of Kroos, Modric, Isco, Kovacic they aren't short of options in the middle of the field. However, having strength on paper is one thing and showing that on-field another.
Real Madrid midfielders haven't had best of the times lately. Apart from Isco and Modric, Kroos and Casemiro have failed to live up to the expectations. Casemiro regularly is found out of position and has failed to provide the cover he should be providing leading to defensive fragility for the team. Kroos also has been below par and hasn't provided the same service from dead ball situations as he did last season.
The midfield organisation of the team hasn't been up to the mark either. The players are constantly found out of position and it leads to blown defensive cover. In attack also the midfield has failed to provide the service you would expect them to.
The coach and the players would need to sort out this problem to ensure better performances.
#1 Zidane's tactical shortcomings
Zinedine Zidane has won 8 trophies in 2 years at Real Madrid. However, it is a well-known fact that Zidane is more of a man-manager instead of a tactical genius.
In last 2 years at Madrid, Zidane has failed to put a proper system at a place in Madrid. He is a pragmatic coach who makes the team play as per opposition. That is possibly one of the reasons why Madrid in last 2 years have found it hard against weaker teams and it was an individual quality that took them through on most occasions. But this season, that hasn't happened and hence they have suffered.
Zidane's failure to put a proper system has affected Real Madrid. Thus even after having some of the best individual talents, they have struggled as a team. Whether it is about attack or defence or midfield there are evident shortcomings which Zidane has failed to repair. This season, even after repeated failures he has failed to bring in changes to make the team perform again.
Zidane's inexperience and failure to bring in changes have had an adverse effect and it remains to be seen whether he can bring in changes required to get Real Madrid back on track and if he is not able to do that, it remains to be seen whether Madrid's board and Perez are patient enough or not.
