Nobody is spared of blame for Real Madrid's crisis

All must take responsibility

Posted Sunday, October 07, 2018 by Marca.com

Real Madrid lost again and suffered a second defeat in a row, with Alaves inflicting further damage after they had been beaten in Moscow.

It is now almost seven hours without a goal, covering four games and part of another.

Many things have been done poorly by Julen Lopetegui's team, who have been saved only by Barcelona's sluggish start, although he and his players aren't the only ones under scrutiny.

Lopetegui spoke of calm after the match, pointing out that we are still in October, and it is true.

However, he can't rest easy after six hours and 49 minutes without hitting the back of the net, when going four consecutive games without a win and when losing four times this season already (the UEFA Super Cup, Sevilla, CSKA Moscow and Alaves).

The alarm bells are sounding at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu and a crisis is evident.

Several causes are to blame, but nobody is spared.

The desperate start to the season is partly a result of poor planning during the summer.

Cristiano Ronaldo, the top scorer in Los Blancos history, is no longer at the club, and he was a player with an average of more than a goal a game.

"The sun can't be covered with one finger," was the response of Keylor Navas to his absence and the lack of the Portugal international casts a big shadow.

An anticipated big name arrival such as Neymar didn't arrive and the No. 7 jersey is now worn by Mariano.

Another season later and Real Madrid have weakened their squad further, much like they did last year.

Pepe, James Rodriguez, Alvaro Morata, Mateo Kovacic and Ronaldo were all still at the club two years ago.

Lopetetgui has what he has now and, in Vitoria, with injuries to Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale, they ended up with Marco Asensio, Mariano and Vinicius Junior up front.

"I am the main person responsible," said the coach after the match and he is, of course, partly to blame too.

His team are already part of a disappointing part of club history, with the second longest streak without a goal and the sixth worst goal average to start a season, with just 17 goals in 11 games.

They lost in Moscow after failing to capitalise on the many chances they created, but in Vitoria they didn't even manage to do that.

The opposition goalkeeper had to make a good stop on Dani Ceballos, but had little else to do.

Real Madrid were more predictable than ever and less profound.

Alaves endured the lethargy of their opponent and then struck to win at the death.

Benzema and Bale retired early due to injury, but they didn't offer any particularly encouraging signs during their time on the field.

There were fleeting glimpses from the Welshman, but none for the striker, who has already gone seven games without a goal and who must do some searching in the mirror.

It must also be said though that Lopetegui has not been helped by injuries.

He lost Benzema and Bale during a game in which they were already without Dani Carvajal, Marcelo and Isco, three vital players for the game they play and whose loss will shake a team, making them unpredictable.

Things aren't working and they can't even fix it for another 14 days.

The break is worse than ever.

In three weeks, they visit the Camp Nou.

That will be a real test.