Real Madrid Suffer Some Early Season Doubts

Well, it’s too soon to make any real conclusions, but nevertheless, Real Madrid gave a very poor performance yesterday.

As often happened in the Spanish Super Cup, Real struggled throughout the whole game. The defending La Liga champions weren’t able to face their season opener with confidence.

As I said, it’s very early for making conclusions, however we must take a look at some  of the worrying aspects the team showed against Deportivo.

1. No weapons coming out the bench

Real fans must be worried by this situation. The team was struggling, and there was not any response from the bench. With Sneijder injured and Van der Vaart suspended, it’s clear that Madrid’s bench is not deep enough. Only De La Red may be able to bring something new to the table, but he didn’t play much.

It will be impossible to compete in all three competitions with this lack of talent coming from the sidelines. Real needed to retain Robinho, and should make players such as Drenthe and Saviola part of this project.

This team has depth in defense with Marcelo, Ramos, Torres, Cannavaro, Pepe, Heinze, and Metzelder to provide the team all that is necessary in this part of the pitch. While the defensive side is covered, Real need something new going forward.

A wing player and a striker are needed to face this season’s challenges.

2. Midfield problems

Real Madrid's midfielders built nothing yesterday. Guti was missing throughout the whole game. Deportivo's pressure drowned Guti, and Real were unable to deliver good ball to the strikers.

Direct football, from box-to-box, was the only tactic used by Real yesterday.

Gago or De la Red must play in this team ahead of Diarra. They can help Guti to deliver the ball, and with them on the pitch, the issue of building the attack is shared. Diarra is a defensive player with no offensive skills. In my opinion, De La Red and Gago can both defend like Diarra, but crucially offer a passing threat in attack too.

3. Again, problems defending off corners

It’s an endemic problem at Madrid, and has been ever since I have been a fan. Both Deportivo’s goals come from corners.

For the first one a mismatch left Mista open, allowing him a free header. For the second, Lopo anticipated his defender, overcoming Van Nistelrooy’s goal.

In my opinion, it’s a lack of concentration. They are all good aerial defenders, yet sometimes they appear unable to match their rivals. A leader is needed in this defense; a man who orders each one to do his job, every time the ball goes out of play.

These two weeks will be an education at the Bernabeu. The team is facing doubts, and their rivals are knocking on their door.