Actual Madrid and Rayo Vallecano confronted off earlier this season early November, and it was on that night time that they started their collapse within the league standings.
The draw at Vallecas was instantly after Los Blancos suffered the defeat in opposition to Liverpool, and solely potentiated the downward spiral. Within the six video games that adopted, Actual Madrid misplaced two, drew two, and received solely two video games.
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On the night time actually, Rayo Vallecano created the higher possibilities and racked up an xG of 1.20 in comparison with Xabi Alonso’s group who had 0.98. They even had extra huge possibilities and 46% of the possession.
Tomorrow afternoon, the 2 groups face off as soon as extra, and it so occurs that Actual Madrid once more enter the sport off a heavy UEFA Champions League defeat, this time in opposition to SL Benfica.
At this level, Alvaro Arbeloa and Co. merely can not afford for historical past to repeat itself.
Madrid Common brings you three speaking factors forward of Actual Madrid vs Rayo Vallecano.
Coming into a important month
Having been knocked out of the Copa del Rey, Actual Madrid had been anticipated to have a comparatively much less hectic February, particularly on condition that their place within the top-8 of the UEFA Champions League appeared fastened.
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The fiasco of Matchday 8, nevertheless, noticed them lose out on the top-eight end and so they should now play two further video games within the competitors – one thing that after once more cramps up their schedule.
The month forward shall be a important one for Actual Madrid, particularly given the comparatively latest managerial change, the battle to seek out an id, and the truth that their future within the UCL rides on two video games in opposition to an opponent they misplaced to midweek.
Kicking off the brand new month with a win, subsequently, is of paramount significance because the group merely can not afford to go on a unfavorable spiral as soon as extra and find yourself shedding two video games in a row.
Rayo Vallecano will again themselves to take all three factors in opposition to Actual Madrid on the Santiago Bernabeu tomorrow, particularly given how they took two factors off them already earlier this season.
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Los Blancos, thus, should stay alert to not slack off, for lots is on the road this month. Dropping momentum shouldn’t be an possibility.
The precise-wing query
Who begin on the suitable flank? (Picture by Angel Martinez/Getty Pictures)
Actual Madrid could not have clicked as a unit to this point this marketing campaign, however there isn’t a denying that the group has people with nice expertise who’ve stepped up and claimed possession of locations within the beginning lineup.
One place the place there isn’t a clear favorite but, and naturally lots of competitors, is .
Franco Mastantuono and Brahim Diaz started the season as the 2 gamers competing for a spot within the lineup in that division, and whereas the previous has been the supervisor’s comparatively extra most popular possibility, .
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The sport in opposition to Benfica, actually, was one in every of his worst performances in a Actual Madrid shirt and raises questions on whether or not he’ll begin as soon as extra come Sunday.
Brahim, the opposite main possibility, is a powerful candidate to begin besides for the way latest weeks have been exhausting on him and the truth that severe questions will be raised over whether or not he’s mentally ready to begin once more.
Rodrygo, thus, pops up as one other candidate the supervisor can rely on. The Brazilian, nevertheless, was injured not too long ago and solely made his comeback to the sphere in opposition to Benfica the place he was despatched off as nicely.
Federico Valverde and Gonzalo Garcia are additionally choices for Arbeloa to contemplate, however to deploy one of many second-string winger duo forward of the three aforementioned obtainable stars will even not be straightforward given the membership’s hierarchical nature.
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An enormous determination and dilemma awaits Arbeloa as he prepares a lineup for a sport the place the group should search for redemption.
A necessity for management
Of all of Actual Madrid’s lacunae, deficiencies, and struggles this 12 months, whom the group listens to has been the single-biggest one.
Letting go of Luka Modric noticed the dressing room lose its solely remaining chief who might resonate with the squad, maintain them grounded, and be certain that they function as a group.
Now, there’s a conspicuous lack of such a presence each on and off the sphere and there may be an pressing want for one of many group’s mainstays to step up on that entrance.
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Be it with the interference of the administration or not, one in every of Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Jr, Federico Valverde, or one other dressing room heavyweight should take cost and drive the group on the sphere.
Urgent as a unit, build up play cohesively, and taking part in for the collective over particular person numbers, in spite of everything, are what make a group compete on all fronts and it’s seemingly unattainable for Actual Madrid to get on to that monitor with out the stated management.
Los Blancos are actually at that stage of the season the place any change should come now or it will likely be too late, and it’s excessive time the squad wakes up and smells the espresso.