Fans, pundits and media outlets have been very harsh on Real Madrid in recent days, and rightfully so given the team’s form in recent games.
The Merengues’ loss to AC Milan was shocking, especially considering that the Italians were not on a great run of form themselves. It was thus an eye-opener for the dressing room and a testament to their current level.
Tomorrow, they return to the field in La Liga for the first time after the defeat in El Clasico. Pitched against them, ironically, is the only team to have beaten Barcelona this season – Osasuna.
The Pamplona-based side have been in good form this season and have lost just three games in the league so far. They are currently on 21 points and can equal Los Blancos with a win tomorrow, although the hosts have a game in hand.
Madrid Universal brings you three talking points ahead of Real Madrid vs Osasuna.
Need to bounce back
Real Madrid is one of the few clubs in the world where defeats are simply not accepted, and the team’s last season was very well accepted simply because the side lost one game all season.
Their run in recent games, on that front, has been simply unacceptable. Los Blancos are currently on a two-game losing streak at this point, and the fact that both losses came at home does not help.
Real Madrid’s poor run of form began against Barcelona in La Liga at the Santiago Bernabeu when they were torn apart by Hansi Flick’s men with a 4-0 scoreline. Despite aiming for a bounce-back, they once again fell to AC Milan at the same venue earlier this week.
Los Blancos have conceded nine goals in their last three games at the Bernabeu and have a lot to fix ahead of tomorrow’s clash at the same venue.
The primary focus will be on the defensive line tomorrow given how the men in white have struggled to keep opponents at bay in recent games.
After all, the Eder Militao-Antonio Rudiger partnership has looked far from reassuring while Lucas Vazquez has struggled on the right.
Furthermore, there is a need for Carlo Ancelotti to solve the midfield crisis and bring in a system that promotes more direct buildup play with creative passing outlets.
Real Madrid are in dire need of a comeback, and a third successive defeat would mount the pressure on Ancelotti and make his sacking a real possibility. A do-or-die situation.
Spotlight on Mbappe
Keeping all the defensive and midfield problems aside, Real Madrid’s struggles in the final third merit a separate conversation itself.
The team’s structure after Kylian Mbappe’s arrival has simply not worked and has posed several problems, both in and out of possession. Solving that is the foundation for finding a way back from the complicated situation for Ancelotti.
As revealed earlier this week, Mbappe is now beginning to feel frustrated with his situation and is fed up with playing as a striker. This comes as a massive problem for the manager, for it is the only position available where he can deploy the Frenchman.
After two uninspiring performances by the star man, the spotlight will shine on Mbappe tomorrow. The youngster has struggled to get going so far this season, and the pressure on him is seriously mounting with every passing day.
The Real Madrid fans are not known to be kind to any player, and a few more poor displays from the Frenchman could well have the entire stadium against him. Mbappe does not have long to find his best version, and a lot rides on tomorrow’s performance.
On the ball, Los Blancos need the World Cup winner to make better runs, get into better attacking positions and contribute to the buildup in addition to improving his finishing. Concurrently, however, there is a real need for him to improve his defensive contributions.
The widening gap
Real Madrid were not too far off from Barcelona even two match-days ago in La Liga, for the Catalans had dropped three points with a defeat while Real Madrid had dropped just six with three draws.
That gap, however, grew to six points with the team’s defeat in El Clasico and has now widened to nine points after the game against Valencia was postponed.
Los Blancos do have a game in hand and can cut down the margin by three points, but they will not likely play against Valencia in the near future.
Given that three points in theory cannot be equated to three points in the bag given the team’s form, it is vital that they ensure the gap does not widen further. After all, a defeat tomorrow will extend the gap to twelve points and inflict a massive psychological blow.
Osasuna are the only team to have beaten Barcelona this season and are currently placed fifth on the league standings. Currently in good form and coming in with momentum, they will look to inflict maximum damage on Ancelotti’s wounded side.
Tomorrow’s game, thus, is crucial beyond description. A win can provide the team much-needed momentum ahead of the international break while a defeat could well land a devastating blow to their chances in La Liga.