Carlo Ancelotti’s side have struggled to adapt to the new season and the tension is growing rapidly in the Spanish capital.
Adding Kylian Mbappe and Endrick to a UEFA Champions League winning squad, the Merengues only heightened the expectation around the team, and in the process, the pressure as well.
Their failure to even keep up to last season’s standards has thus created a serious backlash.
The manager was highly critical of his team’s performance midweek after they fell to a second draw in three games, specifically blaming their lack of energy and poor attacking transitions. While he did take the brunt of the responsibility on himself, it is clear that the players must step up first.
Later tonight, Real Madrid have the chance to redeem themselves. To do so, however, they must conquer a powerful opponent in Real Betis.
Los Verdiblancos have been a serious threat to the men in white in recent years. In fact, Real Madrid have only beaten them once and have lost twice in their last seven games against Betis at Santiago Bernabeu.
Madrid Universal brings you three talking points ahead of Real Madrid vs Real Betis.
Walking a tightrope
As the defending champions, the pressure was always on Real Madrid heading into the new La Liga season. Unfortunately, the men in white have not lived up to the expectations so far.
Three games into the 2024-25 campaign, the men in white have recorded two draws and just one win. They sit four points behind leaders Barcelona and have appeared lacklustre on all fronts.
While these are indeed early days in the campaign, Real Madrid does not have long to hit the ground running. Barcelona’s form and the growing point difference, after all, leave them with a very narrow margin for error.
Carlo Ancelotti’s men, at this point, are walking a tightrope. Just three games into the new campaign, they face what appears to be a must-win clash and they must wake up and smell the coffee.
A few more loose results, after all, will make their title defence challenge very complicated.
Chemistry lacking in the final third
Real Madrid’s poor run so far this season has indeed been down to flaws across the field. However, the forward department would appear slightly more responsible for the same.
While Vinicius Jr has been great for the men in white primarily playing on the left wing, his combination with new signing Kylian Mbappe has been off ever since the UEFA Super Cup. Their flawed chemistry, needless to say, has been responsible for most of Los Blancos’ struggles in front of goal.
Against Las Palmas, Mbappe recorded a staggering five blocked shots and had two shots on and off target each. However, he could not find the back of the net even once and even missed one big chance.
Vinicius, meanwhile, was superb with his dribbles but went wrong with his decision-making at crucial points. Opting to go for goal even when his teammates were in better positions, the Brazilian’s performance can even be called selfish by some.
A lot must change if Real Madrid are to return to winning ways tomorrow against Real Betis. Faced against their most established and successful opposition yet, they will have their backs against the wall if they are to take all three points.
The spark needs to be ignited
If there is one thing Real Madrid are lacking this season compared to previous iterations, it is the spark and spirit shown on the field.
The team’s past three performances in the competition have lacked the spice that Real Madrid usually brings to the field. Unlike the set of eleven men ready to turn even the most dire situation around, Los Blancos do not appear to have any punch packed in their performance.
For the first time in a while, Real Madrid appear to lack leadership on the field – a voice that ushers the team forward in the light of a setback and reinforces the belief that a comeback is possible.
Tomorrow night, it will be vital for the men in white to bring back that spark on the field. Carlo Ancelotti will look to bring the energy back to his team, especially with the international break around the corner. Signing off on a high will be vital.