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Three talking points ahead of Real Madrid vs Rayo Vallecano | La Liga MD 22
Real Madrid and Rayo Vallecano faced off earlier this season early November, and it was on that night that they began their collapse in the league standings.
The draw at Vallecas was immediately after Los Blancos suffered the defeat against Liverpool, and only potentiated the downward spiral. In the six games that followed, Real Madrid lost two, drew two, and won only two games.
On the night in fact, Rayo Vallecano created the better chances and racked up an xG of 1.20 compared to Xabi Alonso’s team who had 0.98. They even had more big chances and 46% of the possession.
Tomorrow afternoon, the two teams face off once more, and it so happens that Real Madrid again enter the game off a heavy UEFA Champions League defeat, this time against SL Benfica.
At this point, Alvaro Arbeloa and Co. simply cannot afford for history to repeat itself.
Madrid Universal brings you three talking points ahead of Real Madrid vs Rayo Vallecano.
Entering a critical month
Having been knocked out of the Copa del Rey, Real Madrid were expected to have a relatively less hectic February, especially given that their place in the top-8 of the UEFA Champions League appeared fixed.
The fiasco of Matchday 8, however, saw them lose out on the top-eight finish and they must now play two additional games in the competition – something that once again cramps up their schedule.
The month ahead will be a critical one for Real Madrid, especially given the relatively recent managerial change, the struggle to find an identity, and the fact that their future in the UCL rides on two games against an opponent they lost to midweek.
Kicking off the new month with a win, therefore, is of paramount importance as the team simply cannot afford to go on a negative spiral once more and end up losing two games in a row.
Rayo Vallecano will back themselves to take all three points against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu tomorrow, especially given how they took two points off them already earlier this season.
Los Blancos, thus, must remain alert to not slack off, for a lot is on the line this month. Losing momentum is not an option.
The right-wing question
Real Madrid may not have clicked as a unit so far this campaign, but there is no denying that the team has individuals with great talent who have stepped up and claimed ownership of places in the starting lineup.
One position where there is no clear favourite yet, and naturally a lot of competition, is the right wing.
Franco Mastantuono and Brahim Diaz began the season as the two players competing for a place in the lineup in that department, and while the former has been the manager’s relatively more preferred option, he has not done enough to stamp his authority.
The game against Benfica, in fact, was one of his worst performances in a Real Madrid shirt and raises questions about whether he will start once more come Sunday.
Brahim, the other major option, is a strong candidate to start except for how recent weeks have been hard on him and the fact that serious questions can be raised over whether he is mentally prepared to start again.
Rodrygo, thus, pops up as another candidate the manager can count on. The Brazilian, however, was injured recently and only made his comeback to the field against Benfica where he was sent off as well.
Federico Valverde and Gonzalo Garcia are also options for Arbeloa to consider, but to deploy one of the second-string winger duo ahead of the three aforementioned available stars will also not be easy given the club’s hierarchical nature.
A big decision and dilemma awaits Arbeloa as he prepares a lineup for a game where the team must look for redemption.
A need for leadership
Of all of Real Madrid’s lacunae, deficiencies, and struggles this year, the lack of an on-field leader whom the team listens to has been the single-biggest one.
Letting go of Luka Modric saw the dressing room lose its only remaining leader who could resonate with the squad, keep them grounded, and ensure that they operate as a team.
Now, there is a conspicuous lack of such a presence both on and off the field and there is an urgent need for one of the team’s mainstays to step up on that front.
Be it with the interference of the management or not, one of Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Jr, Federico Valverde, or another dressing room heavyweight must take charge and drive the team on the field.
Pressing as a unit, building up play cohesively, and playing for the collective over individual numbers, after all, are what make a team compete on all fronts and it is seemingly impossible for Real Madrid to get on to that track without the said leadership.
Los Blancos are now at that stage of the season where any change must come now or it will be too late, and it is high time the squad wakes up and smells the coffee.
Real Madrid made a mess of their game against Elche last night, and it is clear that the men in white have several flaws with no answers at the moment.
From being 2-0 up, the men in white bottled their lead and threw the game into jeopardy by permitting Elche to score two goals. The result, as many saw it, was set to end in a draw.
With some persistent attacks in the dying minutes, however, Real Madrid managed to build pressure on Elche and eventually scored one more goal at the death to take home the three points.
Needless to say, however, the negatives from the game far outweigh the positive news of the three points.
Madrid Universal brings you three takeaways from Elche 2-3 Real Madrid.
Another second-half collapse
After Real Madrid’s win over Rayo Vallecano at the weekend, Jose Mourinho stressed the fact that Real Madrid actually played only one half and that the fatigue began showing after the break.
On the night, the opposition began to enjoy more dominance and create chances after half-time as they outran and outpressed Los Blancos to good effect.
Last night was no different, and the second half went completely awry.
The men in white entered the half-time break cruising with a 2-0 lead and significant dominance over the proceedings. They had a massive xG, with Elche barely creating any chances of note.
After the break, however, the entire dynamic of the game changed as Real Madrid took a step back and handed the impetus to the hosts. Pressing high and attacking without fear, Elche dominated Real Madrid for most of the second half and had a staggering 60% of possession.
They scored twice – in the 71st and 83rd minutes – and equalised Real Madrid on the night. Given the visitors’ shambolic display, it was deserved for Elche.
At this point, the constant second-half collapses and fatigue struggles of the team after just 45 minutes of action must worry Jose Mourinho immensely. Heading into a derby away from home, Real Madrid have to do much better.
The away curse continues
While Real Madrid’s form at home has been imperious this season, their form away from home has been equally shocking.
They began their season with a last-minute win over Espanyol, and their second league game of the season on the road came against Real Betis and ended in defeat.
Heading into their third away game last night, there was an element of worry about how they would perform, and the trend continued once more.
Real Madrid did well to take the lead on the night, but they made the second half a massive war and far more difficult than it should have been.
At this point, serious questions have to be raised about Real Madrid’s form on the road and their inability to keep games under control when playing in away stadiums.
Heading forward in the season, Los Blancos have some massive away games coming up against far more difficult opposition. The Madrid derby is up next, and the team’s form is nothing promising heading into that fixture.
Carlos Espi saves the day… again!
Real Madrid are currently on 15 points after six games in the league, but Carlos Espi has directly contributed to a massive chunk of that.
If not for the new Spanish striker’s ability to come up clutch in big moments, Real Madrid could well have been on just 11 points at this stage in the season, and the four points he has added are absolutely crucial.
Against Espanyol, it was Espi who scored a stoppage-time winner to hand Real Madrid all three points after a complicated match. Last night, he repeated the same heroics once more.
With the team staring at a draw, the new signing was at the right place at the right time to bury Kylian Mbappe’s assist in stoppage time, handing Real Madrid all three points at the death.
He may not have played a large part on the night, but his cameo was again powerful and it is clear that he elevates the team’s attack and provides new solutions in front of goal. Espi has already proven his talent, and his ability to perform under pressure is what makes him special.
