'Red alert' for Real Madrid

(Baonghean.vn) - Coach Zidane and his team could not defeat the small team Levante right at Bernabeu Stadium in round 3 of La Liga 2017/2018. This was the second consecutive match that Ramos and his teammates did not taste victory.

» Real had to share points with Valencia at Bernabeu

Entering this season, Real Madrid was highly appreciated by experts after what they showed in the European Super Cup match against Man Utd (won 2-1); the destruction of rival team Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup in both matches, the first leg (won 3-1) and the second leg (won 2-0). With their strength and stability in playing style, Los Blancos is not only a "destructive machine" that spreads terror to all opponents in La Liga, but also makes the whole of Europe terrified.

Even though the Bernabeu team was indifferent in the 2017 summer transfer window (no blockbuster deals were made), few people doubted the strength of the team led by coach Zidane. Ronaldo and Ramos were absent due to suspension, while Kroos, Modric, Marcelo and especially Asensio shone brilliantly. Just look at the way Real Madrid's B+ squad tormented Barcelona in the second leg of the Spanish Super Cup, and you can see the terrible strength of the Royal team.

Real Madrid players celebrate winning the Spanish Super Cup. Photo: Internet

In addition, the instability of arch-rival Barcelona in terms of force (star Neymar left) and the internal strife in the team's upper echelons (president Bartomeu is under pressure to leave his position), makes many people believe that Real Madrid's chance of successfully defending the La Liga championship is extremely high.

But things are not that simple. Barcelona is still the "giant" with easy victories, while coach Zidane and his team keep shooting themselves in the foot regrettably.

The 3-0 win over Deportivo on the opening day did not say much, because the opponent was of too modest a level. Letting Valencia hold them at the Bernabeu in the second round could also be considered a very normal accident, because of the stature and discomfort of the "Bats" in previous confrontations. However, the draw with the small team Levante in the last round was unacceptable. Even with all the reasons such as bad luck or coach Zidane fielding many reserve players... it still cannot justify Real Madrid's poor performance.

Without Ronaldo, Modric, Varane, Isco but with Benzema, Ramos, Marcelo, Kroos and Asensio... the force in the hands of coach Zidane is still superior to the away team. The statistics clearly reflect: Real Madrid controlled the ball 68%, shot 10 times on goal, had 13 corner kicks... ; meanwhile, Levante only controlled the ball 32%, shot 2 times on goal of goalkeeper Casilla and had 3 corner kicks. Through the above parameters, the difference between the 2 teams is clearly seen. The 1-1 draw with Real Madrid is no different from a defeat.

Coach Zidane expressed disappointment with his players' performance. Photo: Internet

Witnessing the performance of the home team in the two matches against Valencia and Levante, many Madridistas feel worried about the journey to defend the La Liga title of coach Zidane and his team. There is a feeling that Real Madrid players and even the French coach are showing their usual complacency and lack of sharpness. The goal conceded in the 13th minute or the missed opportunities of Bale, Benzema... in the match against Levante partly proved that.

Of course, the person who bears the greatest responsibility is none other than coach Zidane, when he left Isco, Casemiro... on the bench. Losing 4 points after 2 consecutive matches with the red card of mainstay Marcelo and the fact that rival Barcelona is "winning like cutting bamboo", is that enough to ring the alarm bell for coach Zidane and his students? The answer is the result of Real Madrid's next match in La Liga./.

Thanh Hung