Real Madrid start this weekend 16 points behind great rivals and La Liga leaders Barcelona and face a tricky test against high-flying Villarreal on Saturday at the Bernabeu.
Here, we look at three key talking points ahead of the clash in the Spanish capital.
IS THE BERNABEU STILL WITH ZIDANE?
Throughout Real Madrid’s troubled season, the club’s fans have on the whole stuck with boss Zinedine Zidane, whose iconic playing career at the Bernabeu and hugely impressive first 18 months as manager put an unusual amount of credit in the bank.
But now that credit is running out, and Zidane’s notable tetchiness under intense questioning from the media on Friday suggested that the tide is turning. And if the mood of the media reflects the mood of the fans, the Frenchman is in more than a little bit of trouble.
Although it’s not yet being suggested that Zidane is on the verge of being fired, another poor performance and dropped points today would leave him in an extremely vulnerable position. The opening stages will be crucial in determining the mood – an early goal would be welcome reassurance that redemption is possible, but a slow start could get nerves jangling…and see Zidane pushed further towards the precipice.
MIDFIELD MATTERS FOR MADRID
There are problems throughout the Madrid team, with no player scoring more than four league goals, the defence looking almost constantly vulnerable and the midfield failing to adequately connect the two ends of the pitch.
At least, though, the defence and attack more or less picks itself, with injuries ensuring that Gareth Bale will team up with Cristiano Ronaldo in attack while Raphael Varane is partnered by Nacho in the centre of defence.
In midfield, though, Zidane has a real selection dilemma because none of the established starters are playing particularly well and he has options – if he chooses to use them. Casemiro is looking clumsy, Isco’s inventive powers have waned, and even Luka Modric and Toni Kroos – previously untouchable starters for four years – are facing heavy criticism.
So does Zidane turn to Lucas Vazquez, who scored both goals in the midweek 2-2 cup draw with Numancia? Is it time to introduce Marco Asensio, the boy wonder who Zidane doesn’t seem to really trust? Or should he give more chances for Mateo Kovacic to liven things up with his energetic running?
There are plenty of possibilities, but Zidane just needs to find one which works.
Real Madrid playmaker Luka Modric has been criticised.
DANGEROUS VILLARREAL ON THE UP?
Zidane could have certainly been handed an easier fixture on his potential crisis weekend, because Villarreal are a good team who appear to be heading in the right direction after a poor start to the season and a mid-campaign wobble a few weeks ago.
The Yellow Submarine are heading to the Bernabeu in sixth place, having put together a three-game unbeaten run in La Liga either side of Christmas, conceding just one goal in the process. Even worse for Madrid, they have become particularly solid away from home, winning three and drawing two of their last six away league games.
Although leading scorer Cedric Bakambu won’t make the trip to the capital after agreeing a mega-bucks move to China, Villarreal still possess plenty of talent especially in the home team’s problem area of midfield, where players like Pablo Fornals, Samu Castillejo, Manu Trigueros and ex-Madrid winger Denis Cheryshev are more than capable of troubling any opposition. If Villarreal play well, it could be another tough afternoon for Zidane’s men.
