3 ways by which Real Madrid C.F. can save their drowning ship this season

Heading off to a brilliant start this season, Real Madrid successfully clinched two titles, namely the Spanish Super Cup and the UEFA Super Cup in August this season. Subsequently, they started fumbling against the stronger as well as weaker sides of the UEFA Champions League and La Liga.

Sixteen league games into the season, Real Madrid have dropped down to the 4th spot, which is not at all pleasing by their standards. They are points behind the league leaders, Barcelona.

With more than half of the season left, here are three ways by which Real Madrid C.F can save their drowning ship this season.

#3 - Buying a striker in the winter transfer window

The biggest mistake that Real Madrid made this summer transfer window was not buying a backup striker after Alvaro Morata and Mariano Diaz's departure. With no first-class backup option for a striker, Real Madrid is totally dependent on Karim Benzema, who is the only experienced striker in the squad.

Since the beginning of 2016/17 season, Karim Benzema has constantly underperformed with just 13 goals in 41 La Liga appearances. Also, his performances in most of the games have been below par, costing Real Madrid some crucial points in La Liga.

To complete the attack in order to make it lethal, Real Madrid need a replacement for Benzema, which could help in clinching the glorious titles. The upcoming winter transfer window will play a crucial role in deciding the future of the club. As reports suggest, Mauro Icardi, the Argentine striker who currently plays for Internazionale, is heavily linked with a Real Madrid move this winter.

#2 - Altering the defense

Real Madrid v Club Atletico de Madrid - UEFA Champions League Final

Since Pepe's departure, it is quite evident that Real Madrid are struggling game in and game out. Since the last decade, Sergio Ramos and Pepe were Real Madrid's most prominent centre-back duo, which unfortunately parted before this season flagged off.

Raphaël Varane, the 24-year-old French defender marked his place in the first team occupying Pepe's defensive spot, but still, things didn't go Real Madrid's way as conceding a goal has become a routine for the club. Madrid's defensive record has been poor this season, and it seems that the club have failed to find a successor who could fill Pepe's boots eventually.

One of the main problems for conceding goals is the poor chemistry between the defensive lineup. Counterattack has become a threat for Real Madrid, following the concern of poor chemistry between the defenders and defensive errors that lead to conceding goals in most of the games, as evident from the club's recent performances.

Zinedine Zidane needs to stabilize the defense as soon as possible, or else the hopes to win the approaching prestigious titles would persist as a dream.

#1 Changing the club's medical staff

Real Madrid's medical team during Gareth Bale's discomfort

Before the season 2017/18 flagged off, Real Madrid made some changes in their medical team in order to reduce the concern of injuries sacking Jesus Olmo, the first team head doctor whose spot was taken over by Niko Mihic, a Croatian doctor.

Injuries have been some of the biggest reasons of Real Madrid's fumbling run-through so far, with more than eight players already injured since the start of the season. Gareth Bale was the one who got injured frequently out of all the players and was rarely seen in action due to continuous injuries. Despite changing the medical staff, the situation got worse for the club and if this goes on, winning games and titles will remain hypothetical.

Real Madrid need to make some strict decisions about the medical staff, either changing it completely or adding some professional and expert doctors.