Real Madrid Will Have a Hard Time Defending Their Titles

Real Madrid has not had a straightforward start to their season. The reigning La Liga and UEFA Champions League winners may not find it so easy to retain their titles.

A few days ago, it was Real Madrid’s third game in this season’s UCL game. Los Blancos were 2-0 down at halftime, before eventually winning the game against Borussia Dortmund 5-2. However, that was more or less the average Real Madrid Champions League performance.

Despite that though, it is hard to deny that the reigning champions are struggling this season. They sit second on the La Liga table, three points behind Barcelona. Barcelona have been having a better season than their closest rivals, and better than the one they had last prior. Barcelona has nine wins in 10 games with only one loss whilst Real Madrid has seven wins and three draws

A Shaky Start

Real Madrid’s opening game was a 1-1 draw to Mallorca. Two games later it was another 1-1 draw but with Las Palmas. At the end of September, the Madrid derby against Atlético Madrid was another 1-1 draw.

In the game against Mallorca, Los Blancos had poor build-ups throughout the game alongside an unusual setup. Even a game-changer Kylian Mbappé was unable to make a difference and did not stand out as one would expect. It was a rather odd to the start of the season for Real Madrid’s super-team.

The next game was a win, only it did not come easy. The 3-0 win against Real Valldolid came after many struggles to break through Valladolid’s defence. When another draw came next, this time against Las Palmas it was clear that there was something wrong going on with the Madrid giants.

However, their next game, a league game against Real Betis displayed the Real Madrid that many expected. Mbappé had a good game, and even managed a brace – his first La Liga goals – and so did Aurélien Tchouaméni whose return to form had a positive impact.

A Madrid Derby and End of Streak

After Real Betis, the reigning champions enjoyed four wins on the trot, including their first UCL game. Although some of the results did not come as easy, it was a good round of points no one could complain about.

Unfortunately for Los Blancos, the two games to come would shake their momentum. The derby against Atlético Madrid in La Liga was largely dull and controversial, with the points shared between the two Madrid sides. A UCL game in France followed, with a shocking result.

The game ended 1-0, marking Real Madrid’s first loss in 36 games. It wasn’t just their inability to create chances in that game against Lille that made it a disappointing fixture for Los Blancos, but an addition to their injury list was an unpleasant further blow.

Éder  Militão who was taken off early in the second half joined Thibaut Courtois, David Alaba, Dani Ceballos and Brahim Díaz on the injury list. Camavinga and Mbappé had just left that company ahead of the Lille game.

A Tight Fight

After their loss to Lille, Real Madrid managed three wins, including their 5-2 win against Dortmund in the UCL. However, neither of these wins came easy.

There is a clear struggle within Carlo Ancelotti‘s team, despite the large pool of talent at his hands. The injuries obviously bring in unwanted effects to Real Madrid’s game, but the problems run deeper than that.

That 5-2 win against Dortmund, was not just because of brilliance from Los Blancos and Vini Jr. in particular, but it was also due to Dortmund making mistakes and giving Real Madrid back control.

Real Madrid has yet to show that they have the ability to control a game regardless of the opponent this season. There have been glimpses of that in some of the wins, like against Real Betis, however, the inconsistencies between games and during games have been concerning.

Barcelona is in good form again, and will not let make it easy on Madrid’s defence of the La Liga title. The latest El Clásico game this weekend may well reveal the holes in Real Madrid’s title defence, and bolster Barcelona’s chances. And although Real Madrid is inevitable in the Champions League, this new format could catch them out.