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Three talking points ahead of Real Madrid vs Real Betis
Only two teams boast a perfect winning record so far in La Liga: Real Madrid and Real Betis. Both teams stand on nine points in the league standings and are first and second in the table respectively.
That could change as La Liga heads into its fourth matchday. Real Madrid and Betis face each other on Saturday at Santiago Bernabeu and either one or both of the teams will certainly lose their perfect start to the season.
Manuel Pellegrini’s side dished out a fine opening-day performance over Elche, scoring three times and maintaining a clean sheet. They then defeated Mallorca by a 2-1 margin before edging a 1-0 win over Osasuna.
Meanwhile, Los Blancos have been going from strength to strength since their Matchday 1 scare against Almeria. In the subsequent games, Carlo Ancelotti’s side scored seven goals and conceded just two.
The clash at the Bernabeu could well be the most awaited game of the weekend. Madrid Universal brings you three talking points ahead of Los Blancos’ weekend clash.
1. The concerning lack of a clean sheet
Last season, Thibaut Courtois stood second on the list of goalkeepers with the most clean-sheets. Only Alex Remiro of Real Sociedad boasted a better record than the Belgian international who achieved it in 16 league games.
However, that form has not continued to the new season. While Courtois has been magnificent in all three games so far, he has conceded one goal in every game.
Against Almeria, the shot-stopper failed to save Largie Ramazani’s effort in just the sixth minute. Needless to say, the early setback did not help Real Madrid’s case.
Just six minutes after Karim Benzema gave Los Blancos the lead over Celta Vigo, Courtois conceded the equaliser at the other end. A similar situation repeated itself against Espanyol when Joselu scored the equaliser past the Belgian late in the first half, killing Real Madrid’s lead on the night.
Given that the team have failed to maintain a single clean sheet in three games, all eyes undoubtedly turn to the goalkeeper. Yet, one knows that several other factors are involved.
For starters, the defence of the team is equally responsible for the goals conceded. From a broader angle, every player on the field can be held answerable for the same.
On Saturday, Real Madrid will look to put an end to the unwanted streak. Needless to say, it will take a special performance from the defenders and goalkeepers to deny a side like Los Verdiblancos of a goal in ninety minutes.
2. A real test for Aurelien Tchouameni
The world turned upside down for Real Madrid’s new signing Aurelien Tchouameni when Casemiro announced his departure from the club. All of a sudden, the Frenchman was under pressure to perform at the highest level, week in and week out, in a new environment.
With the pressure on his shoulders, he started for Los Blancos against Celta Vigo two weeks ago. At the end of ninety minutes, he was arguably the best player on the field.
On the night, he recorded three key passes, three successful dribbles, four clearances, three interceptions, two tackles, seven duels won and a blocked shot. A week later, he again impressed with his all-round performance against Espanyol. Moreover, he also provided his first assist for the club.
The youngster will look to ride on the wave of momentum ahead of the clash against Betis, for it will not be an easy task by any means.
The Seville-based side have an incredibly reliable double pivot of William Carvalho and Guido Rodriguez who will not be easy customers, although the former is a doubt. Tchouameni will also have to handle the guile and deception of Nabil Fekir who is amongst the most technically gifted playmakers in the league.
3. Tinkering with the full-backs
Carlo Ancelotti made some surprising decisions ahead of Real Madrid’s game against Espanyol last week. For the game at RCDE Stadium, neither of the first-choice full-backs started.
Dani Carvajal was benched on the night as Lucas Vazquez started at right-back while David Alaba started at left-back ahead of Ferland Mendy.
The results, however, were mixed. Alaba did not have the best of nights defensively, losing possession six times and making an error that directly led to a shot. Vazquez did better in defence but lacked the cutting edge going forward.
Heading into a crucial match, the manager could look to entrust the right-back duty to Carvajal. His experience will come in handy against the likes of Juanmi and Alex Moreno down the flank.
The left-back situation is not as clear. Mendy may be the first-choice starter, but the Frenchman has often struggled to make an impact in the final third. The race to start is open between Alaba and Mendy, and it remains to be seen as to whom Ancelotti trusts.
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.
