Sefa Writes: Four problems which hindered Real Madrid in El Classico

After a 0-0 first-half performance in Saturday’s Classico, Barcelona and Hansi Flick turned on the style in a lopsided second-half display which saw Real Madrid hammered 4-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu.

However, after an insipid opening 45 minutes, the scoreline after 90 minutes was not entirely reflective of the game, with the visitors making the most of their chances while Real Madrid were left wondering. Ultimately Real Madrid missed the opportunity to equal Barcelona’s unbeaten 43-game La Liga record as they looked entirely out of their depth in the second half.

Here are five major issues that cost Real Madrid maximum points in the season’s first Classico.

 

Mbappe short of  Confidence

The face of the new-look galaticos had a grim look as he walked off the pitch, dejected and broken in his first Classico for his dream club. It was not the dream start for Mbappe, who was caught offside by Barca’s high line six times in the opening half hour. Mbappe looked miles off the pace of the game. The France captain was often let down by his first touch when he managed to get himself into good goal-scoring situations.

It’s extremely difficult to know if it’s an issue with confidence, which would be unthinkable given the 25-year-old had scored six times before the big clash. But all indications point to the fact that he was either swallowed up by the occasion or the feel-good factor was not there. Narrowing it to just that will be completely unfair but he was just not the Mbappe Real Madrid signed or the one who has turned up in recent games for Los Blancos. Throughout the game, he failed to get goalside of young Barcelona centre-back Pao Cubarsi and, if he did, he was culpable of profligacy.

No cruise without Toni.

Barcelona were there for the taking, at least on paper, from how they’ve played all season. Implementing a high line, with their defence almost using the halfway line as their check mark, spaces, – as it’s been-  were in behind their defence in abundance as Real Madrid failed to capitalize on it. The major skill set of Real’s starting line-up was pace and they did get in behind but the ball over the top was either overcooked or undercooked, leading to Mbappe straying offside on several occasions. That precision and accuracy, even when midfielders like Bellingham made late runs, was not there. Toni Kroos left Real Madrid and retired from football after Germany’s European Championship quarter-final exit.

Toni’s incisive pass was missing in El Classico. Tchouameni and Camavinga, who started, do not have it in their repertoire to find the perfectly weighted ball – neither does an ageing Modric guarantee it. Real may have augmented their front line but perhaps they forgot to deal with the most important part of the team; the middle of the park, where games are won and lost.

Vinicius wants a bite at everyone 

On his way to being named the best player in the world, Vinicius was definitely pumped up for the Classico. His hat-trick goals in midweek against Dortmund were just about the perfect pre-Classico form he would have wanted; couldn’t have asked for more. Vini has a unique relationship with Madrid fans but he let his team down on Saturday.

The winger was often engaged in arguments and mini battles, plus he constantly tried to get the fans going, which isn’t wrong. But, he should have been looking for a route back into the game for his team. His moaning and how easily he tumbled to the ground under the slightest contact infuriated Madrid fans. Vini should have put Madrid ahead in the first half when he fired agonizingly close to Barcelona goalkeeper Inaki Pena’s goal. Vini was everywhere, not with the ball at his feet, but involved in baseless altercations. A much more disciplined and focused Vinicius could have been a handful for Jules Kounde, who had a field day bumping down Barca’s right side of attack.

Reality check for porous Madrid defence

Tactically, Real Madrid were outclassed by Barcelona who effectively utilized the counter-press method and a proactive tactic. Without the ball, Barca pressed Real Madrid and made it difficult for them to build from the back. Conceding in their last five games across all competitions -bar Villarreal-  Real Madrid were at risk of falling behind and they did disastrously.

It was easy to break the lines, passing through with ease for Barca. Barca got in behind at will in the second half as they punished the defending champions.

 

The post Sefa Writes: Four problems which hindered Real Madrid in El Classico first appeared on 3News.

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