Another disappointing performances ended up with a draw (2-2) in a difficult venue like Estadio de la Cerámica against Villarreal. Gareth Bale with a brace saved the team to be punished with the first defeat of the season. Los Blancos are now 4 points away from the top of the table, Atlético de Madrid, the only club getting the 9 points.
Zinedine Zidane looks a bit lost and we cannot understand his changes and the line-up. This time, he tried with two strikers -Jovic and Benzema-, whereas Luka Modric was on the bench even if he didn’t play against Valladolid one week ago. Lucas Vázquez and Mendy were also a surprise in the line-up. And the changes didn’t work.
Villarreal took control of the game in the first half, with Santi Cazorla reigning in the midfield. Casemiro and Kroos weren’t able to hold the team and Villarreal had the possession and they hit first. It was thanks to Sergio Ramos, who committed another big mistake, and Gerard Moreno didn’t miss after a save made by Courtois.
Los Blancos took their time to bounce back, but they didn’t at the end of the first half. First was Benzema, with a shoot hitting the post, and then Gareth Bale, who scored the draw in the injury time after a good collective play, with Carvajal and Jovic as protagonists. Things improved in the second half, with Los Blancos taking the control, but Andrés Fernández saved a couple of good chances created by Toni Kroos.
It was time for the changes, and Zidane put Vinicius and Modric on the pitch. But also Calleja introduced Ontiveros and Anguissa, and they took the advantage in the scoreboard. In their only chance of the second half, Moi Gómez tapped in a cross by Ontiveros in the 75th minute. At least, Los Blancos could react and Gareth Bale scored a great goal to give Real Madrid a point. It could be a victory, but the referee and the VAR didn’t see a penalty committed by Albiol on Vinicius Junior.
Only five points in three games in the start of the season. Now it’s time for the international break and to work in the future of the team. There are many things to improve and many players injured, so there is room for hope. However, Zidane needs to know what he wants about his team.
