Up until their home defeat to Barcelona on Sunday night, Real Madrid hadn’t lost a match in any competition for five months.
Last night, they made it two defeats in three days after falling to a 2-1 loss away at Sevilla, putting a huge dent in their title aspirations. On a night when the Los Blancos defence was blown apart by Colombian striker Carlos Bacca, who scored both goals, Barcelona and Atletico de Madrid were busy ensuring wins for themselves, moving two and three points clear of Real respectively.
And the Madrid press this morning says Los Blancos have given away the title and handed over their privileged position at the top of the table. Both Marca and AS say the loss was down to the Real player’s ill-discipline and carelessness.
The papers pick up on many negative aspects of the evening, including Cristiano Ronaldo clearly venting his anger at summer signing Gareth Bale towards the end of the match for blasting a free kick over the bar.
Marca looks back at the last time Los Merengues’ lost two in a row. And you have to go as far back as the 2008/09 season for that. Following a 6-2 loss at home to Barcelona that all but ended their hopes of winning the league, the went on to lose four more on the spin – Valencia (3-0), Villarreal (3-2), Mallorca (1-3) and Osasuna (2-1).
Ancelotti has his work cut out now, and the players know that they can not afford to lose a single point more if they are to maintain their hopes of winning the league in May.
The problem is not with the players but with Acceloti’s tactical ability. He is too rigid and predictable. Zidane could have been a great player but his role on the bench is questionable.
Do you think there’s no role for Zidane in the management set up? Or that he’s being underused and should have more of a say?
Madrid will win nothing with Diego Lopez as their first choice . we need a leader on the field which Lopez isn’t .The coach should wise up or else or be ready to face ………..