The calculations speak volumes: only one goal scored by Kylian Mbappe in the last three league matches (from a penalty kick in Girona) and three draws for Real Madrid away from home. From five points ahead of Barcelona after El Clásico to one point after Montilivi. Xabi Alonso finished Sunday with Vinicius, Mbappe, Bellingham, Rodrygo and Gonzalo Garcia (appearance in the 90th minute). But no. 25 shots versus only four on target. If Kiki does not push (almost) everyone (she accounts for 23 points out of 41 total), it is unlikely that the party will be on the side of the merengue. And also because, as his coach complained, the match was stormy.
Amid the obvious difficulties, there is one fact: Rodrigo equaled the worst streak of consecutive matches without scoring (30) for a Madrid striker. Just like Mariano Diaz, although he has 350 fewer minutes on the field, according to the records of statistician Mr. Chip.
“We lacked the goal,” Xavi analyzed. “We improved in the second half, we had more chances and we pressed more. We were able to score. The team showed a desire to overcome the 1-0 lead. There were three or four clear chances,” said the Basque coach, who said there was no criticism of his team. However, he left a more in-depth thought on the game, regardless of his lack of skill.
He pointed out: “We needed to complete more minutes of good football, attacking football, and control. In the second half we did that more. Why that happens is what we have to look at.” In the preview, I had already warned that one of the biggest problems with the first four months of the season was the lack of continuity. “But hey, it’s a very long time. We are there and we have to continue the unity that we have,” said the coach from Tolosa, who admitted that the team needs a win on Wednesday in San Mames (the sixth and final away game).
Alonso made a decision during the break, which was surprising because it was unusual, without knowing if it was due to a physical problem: he removed Arda Guler and brought on Camavinga. Given the circumstances, the Turk should have been one of the best equipped pieces to find spaces in Girona’s lower building, however, the youngster is not having the best time of the afternoon. Especially since he met Jude Bellingham. Xavi’s big bet on the midfield is diminishing with the English player. This Sunday, the Whites coach made a quick operation and left him on the bench. During the first half, the danger was on the white side.
Eder Militao was the most threatening until the end of the first half, with Vinicius’ goal. After half an hour, the ball fell at the centre-back’s feet inside the penalty area, and the Brazilian felt like a man in Jupiter. What’s going on here? He must have asked himself. He began to babble, trying to find the mystery of such a bone condition for him, and the danger vanished as soon as he arrived. But the truth is that it was he who created the greatest danger in Madrid until the final harassment. Far from this almost accidental situation, a volley arrived in the 39th minute – a more unexpected move – and his final header was cleared by the impressive Gazzaniga. This was the only shot on target that the Whites had throughout the entire first half. As for Mbappe, the VAR caught him handling the ball with his hand, and the goal he celebrated scored nothing.
In the first half with Guler, and in the second without him, no one scored except Mbappe from the penalty kick executed by Fini. A scoring gap weighs heavily on a team that doesn’t have a lot of football either.