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Jose Mourinho was brought to Real Madrid to provide them a Champions League title. But in the 2011-12 season, he achieved something which was not expected. Real Madrid was crowned the La Liga Champions in 2011-12 season, breaking a number of records. But such a bizarre downfall of Real Madrid in 2012-13 season was not expected even by the Barcelona fans.
Here are 5 reasons which could have contributed to their downfall:
Mismanagement of available Talent
When we look at the football clubs around the world this season, the Real Madrid bench seems to be the most powerful bench with the likes of Ricardo Kaka, Ricardo Carvalho, Luka Modric, Jose Callejon etc. It is incredible that a team which had a player like Kaka (former FIFA World Player) who has a great vision of the game and can run through any defence, wasn’t used properly enough. It’s worthy to note that he was fully fit and ready to go. When you have a fit player like Kaka in your side, you should make proper use of him. Jose Mourinho rated him very low below Ozil, Di Maria and Callejon despite his price tag being very high.
Everyone knows that Ricardo Carvalho is more calm and composed than a Álvaro Arbeloa or a Ramos. Over-aggressiveness of Ramos caused trouble for Real Madrid this season. Still, I rate Ramos as a very good defensive player but when there were 2 match days in a week, a player like Carvalho should have been rotated in the side.
Modric was bought by Real Madrid to strengthen its midfield. Modric often played as central midfielder but an attacking midfielder position was more suitable for him. More often, Ozil or Di Maria occupied that position. Modric is now trying to make a comeback to Premier League for regular football.
Disbelief of Manager in his players
Nacho Fernandez
Los Blancos didn’t have a permanent left back this season. The problem was that their main left backs Marcelo Junior and Fabio Coentrao were out due to injury. But Nacho Fernandez and Jorge Casado were available as options. But instead of giving specialist left backs a chance, Mourinho opted for Michael Essien, Arbeloa, Callejon etc and openly questioned Real Madrid Youth system. Players get experienced only with exposure but Mourinho had other ideas. This cost the team dearly, because in the previous season, Marcelo and Coentrao did their job beautifully and contributed in defending as well as in making goal scoring moves through the left wing. However, their replacements in left wing proved to be inefficient.
Over-jubilant after last season’s achievements
Los Merengues had created history in the 2011-12 season by creating number of records, including 100 points in a single season, a record 121 goals scored and goal difference of +89, along with a record 16 away wins and 32 overall wins. Many, including Real Madrid fans now think that the team was over-elated after the achievement this season. They took some matches against bottom placed teams lightly and find themselves 18 points behind Barcelona. They can bring that difference down to 15 if they win against Valencia on 21st January, 2013. But many including Mourinho believe that La Liga defence is over for Real Madrid.
Poor Refereeing decisions
From the start of 2012-13 season, the referee decisions were poor against Real Madrid. Real doesn’t have ‘specialized divers’ like Sergio Busquets or Luis Suarez who can earn penalty or free-kicks at will. Ronaldo actually was fouled harshly many times but the referees’ decisions always went against Real Madrid. However just a push behind or pulling the t-shirts of Barcelona players were adjudged deserving of a penalty by the referees. The last example of poor refereeing was sending off of Kaka which was a combination of 2 poor decisions. Kaka is not a player who charges against a player and hurts him with his elbow. First Yellow card for Kaka was really a stupid decision, knowing his track record.
Clashes in dressing room
MALAGA, SPAIN – DECEMBER 22: Iker Casillas of Real Madrid CF reacts dejected on the bench after Roque Santa Cruz of Malaga CF scored his team
From the start of the 2012-13 season, the football lovers were of the opinion that Real Madrid lacked the energy which was shown in the last season and there were rumours that something was wrong in the dressing room. Ronaldo once didn’t celebrate after scoring and explained that it was due to some professional reasons. Continuous ignorance of Kaka also raised some rumours that something is going between the coach and the Brazilian. But the Selecao man explained that he had a professional relationship with Mou. There were also reports that there is a spat between Ronaldo and Casillas. Problems between Mourinho and Casillas emerged when Casillas was left out and Mourinho stated that Adan at the moment is better than Casillas. It was clear that the Spanish International was frustrated because of his manager’s decision.
I just have the opinion that the above stated points would have contributed in such an untenable downfall in their form. Being an admirer of counter attacking football, I would have loved to see Real Madrid at the top of the table in La Liga standings. They still can win the Champions League and the Copa Del Rey this season and the Madridistas would hope that they do so.
