Chants of “Ronaldo, Ronaldo” rung true from the Santiago Bernabeu faithful, born out of frustration for their goal-shy Real Madrid side which failed to break down Atletico Madrid on Saturday night.
Los Blancos have now gone 229 minutes without a league goal and cracks seem to be appearing in the Whites’ armour after an effective start under Julen Lopetegui.
Wednesday’s 3-0 defeat and largely lifeless performance at the hands of Sevilla was backed up with a display of profligacy against Diego Simeone’s men.
That eternal rivals Barcelona have failed to win any of their past three La Liga matches has not tipped the scales of pressure heavily against Madrid. Even so, the resounding 3-0 success over Roma in the Champions League earlier this month feels like a long time ago following the last two showings, in addition to the slender home success over Espanyol last weekend.
There is no doubt Cristiano Ronaldo or a suitable top summer replacement for the Portuguese would have most probably converted Marco Asensio’s excellent second-half chance (it was though a fine save from Jan Oblak) or got on the end of one of Real’s many moments in the second period, but a lack of cutting edge is evident.
Given Asensio has just one goal to his name this season from eight appearances and striker Karim Benzema’s early season promise looks a thing of the past after five goalless outings in which he himself has lacked energy, forward Gareth Bale’s adductor injury – his first real problem on the treatment table in 2018 – is not welcome news. The three aforementioned names seemed to develop a strong understanding in August but for various reasons the trio have stalled.
New signing Mariano Diaz, who has shown plenty of quality and spring in his step, along with young Brazilian Vinicius Junior, who made his debut late on in the Madrid Derby, will get more opportunities to shine but whether or not they are ready to become key attacking forces for Madrid regularly domestically and in Europe is a question yet to be truly answered. And, that’s a problem.
Whether or not the fans really want Ronaldo back is up for debate (and that won’t happen), many were likely jumping on the bandwagon chant, but there is seemingly discontent among Madridistas that Florentino Perez did not break the bank for a big-name last summer and tweak Real’s recent policy under Zinedine Zidane of not going overboard in the transfer market.
After a smooth start for Lopetegui, he is now facing a tricky October with Bale potentially joining injured pair Isco and Marcelo on the sidelines for at least a few weeks.
Despite dominating possession, having the lion’s share of it (66 per cent) as well as more shots (15) than Atleti, Simeone’s side again avoided defeat at the Bernabeu for the sixth-successive match, and could have won it if it had not been for fine saves from Thibaut Courtois, denying Antoine Griezmann early on and then Saul Niguez shortly after.
Lopetegui, post-match, struck a positive tone and said his men deserved all three points but deep down he will be concerned, that all of a sudden, Real’s overall strength may not be what it seems.
Star creator Luka Modric’s admittance of a World Cup hangover at a time in the season when the Whites need him up and running would not have been music to Lopetegui’s ears, but Dani Ceballos’ injection of pace and vibrancy from the bench in place of Bale at half-time was most welcome and surprising. Asensio, surely, will rediscover his goal touch and in theory should relish the chance to become the mainstay in what is viewed as a significant campaign for him.
Ultimately, Los Blancos are not in a crisis or near to starting one, but their lack of cut and thrust at the top of the pitch is worrying in turn with the absence of big-name stars.
The upcoming international break, after fixtures away to CSKA Moscow on Tuesday and next Saturday’s trip to Alaves, will be most welcome.
