Dortmund Draw Shows Both the Progression and Improvements Needed for Real Madrid

Real Madrid threw away top spot in UEFA Champions League Group F and a 2-0 lead over Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday night, but although they were second best, dropped two points and ended up second in the group, there were plenty of reasons for positivity for Zinedine Zidane and his side.

A second-half comeback from BVB meant the scoreline ended 2-2 after a Karim Benzema brace was cancelled out by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Marco Reus—the latter netting with just a few minutes left on the clock.

As we discussed earlier in the week, however, second place holds no fears for Europe's biggest sides this season, and Zidane won't be irked by the runners-up spot as much as the defensive frailty his team once again showed—though further upfield, there were definite lessons to be taken, particularly with Cristiano Ronaldo and shaping the team around him.

Always on the edge

Real might have held a two-goal lead for a period, but in truth, they were never really in control of the match—certainly never two goals better than their opponents and arguably playing more like the away team, despite the Santiago Bernabeu location.

Indeed, at the moment of Real's second goal, it was Dortmund who were enjoying the best spell of the game for either team, with possession in good areas, a few chances in the box and lots of movement in the final third. But it was all undone in 30 seconds of play from the home side, culminating in a lapse in defence and a sublime James Rodriguez delivery.

For therein lies the approach of Zidane: a team that could be compact in their own half of the field but attack at pace and with numbers, as Real set up in a 4-4-2 for most of the game, with James and Lucas Vazquez the wide options.

@karlmatchett

Similar to the way Atletico Madrid operate the system, either one of the strikers would drop in a little when out of possession, but with Benzema and Cristiano the frontmen, it was much more of a clear two-man attack than in recent weeks when Isco has flitted around between the lines as a regular No. 10.

Real struggled for possession at times, had to work hard defensively and ultimately surrendered a two-goal lead—all of which makes disappointing reading. But football cannot be taken in isolation, without context, ignoring all elements of the game, and that's what makes the result a perfectly normal one overall.

BVB are one of the most impressive attacking sides around when on their game, which they certainly were at the Bernabeu.

Perhaps Bayern Munich, Liverpool, AS Monaco and Chelsea this season have displayed attacking intent throughout all of Europe to approach or rival Dortmund's best, but that's about it, and most of them have only managed it for a period of weeks at a time.

BVB have netted 21 goals in just six group-stage games. That kind of attacking prowess is incredible; record-breaking, in fact. Real have played Dortmund twice; have drawn with them twice.

Real have proved Dortmund's equal.

And Los Blancos remain unbeaten this season.

Ronaldo

Real's No. 7 led the line in fine fashion against Atletico in the local derby, and since then, he has mainly operated in central areas—even when Benzema has been on the pitch, too.

More and more, it looks like the Portuguese forward will take up this kind of role for Madrid with greater frequency, and more and more, it looks as though it suits him well.

Against Dortmund, Cristiano was perhaps Real's most versatile attacker in terms of where he affected play, how he affected play and his good work both inside and outside of the box.

A backheel to Benzema, a disguised pass to James; both offered good shooting chances for his team-mates when otherwise no clear route to goal was available. The No. 7 didn't score, but his presence was key for the opening goal.

@karlmatchett

@karlmatchett

The absence of Gareth Bale has forced a complete reshuffle for Madrid in recent games, and the double pivot midfield, instead of a 4-3-3, has been used to great effect, with Ronaldo in the centre of the attack a direct consequence of those changes.

Back line

Item No. 1 on the Christmas list for Zidane this winter will be improved cohesion of his defence, no question.

Early on in the campaign, there was at least the excuse of injuries and absences: Keylor Navas missed the first games, Sergio Ramos and Pepe have both been out and Casemiro in front of them was also sidelined. But even of late, even against Dortmund with everybody available, Real Madrid's defence is still a shambles.

The big culprit against BVB was undoubtedly Dani Carvajal, with the right-back switching off at critical times and failing to close down the attacks on his side—most notably a simple ball over the top for a diagonal run that should have been spotted a mile off, which led to the German outfit's first goal.

@karlmatchett

@karlmatchett

That got them back into the game and, in truth, it always looked likely they would equalise from that point onward.

Zidane cannot go and spend in January to improve his side thanks to the transfer ban, and having had the opportunity to strengthen in the summer and declining to do so, it's unlikely he would have opted to delve into the market in any case.

Coaching—repetition of defensive patterns, continuing the involvement in defensive phases of the wide midfielders, keeping pairings for as long as possible—is the only way up now for Zidane and his team, and at some point, he's going to have to insist on an actual line for his back four.

Because let's face it, Carvajal might have been at fault for not spotting the run, but the shape above of the entire quartet in a simple moment of open play is hideous.

Zidane

The boss has matched Real's all-time record of 34 unbeaten games in succession, and a clash in La Liga against Deportivo La Coruna at the weekend gives him the opportunity to take the record outright.

He has more than the record to consider, however.

• Toni Kroos and Alvaro Morata made their returns from injury against Dortmund. Madrid have almost a full squad to choose from again, and certain players deserve to stay in the side while the regulars have been out.
• The Spanish record of 39 games unbeaten is held by Barcelona. It'll be in the minds of all connected with Real Madrid, but more tough tests lie ahead.
• James clearly isn't a favourite of Zidane's, but what more can he do? Tactically excellent, hardworking and productive—it's up to the boss to keep the Colombian in the side now. Only Benzema took more shots than James, nobody on the pitch created more chances than James and only right-back Carvajal had more touches of the ball in white, per WhoScored.