Actual Madrid could have fallen of their newest Champions League outing, however contained in the membership there’s a shared perception that the efficiency marked a step ahead.
The dedication, depth, and organisation on show have been far superior to what followers witnessed within the defeat to Celta Vigo.
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But, regardless of the development, one obvious challenge overshadowed the whole lot: Madrid’s lack of attacking punch.
Numbers inform a special story
As per , the numbers reveals simply how blunt Los Blancos have been going ahead.
With out Kylian Mbappe within the beginning lineup, Madrid managed just one shot on track, their lowest complete in a Champions League house match because the 2003/04 season.
The match as soon as once more highlighted how decisive Mbappe has already develop into for Xabi Alonso’s staff.
To place issues in perspective, within the Champions League, Mbappe averages a aim each 3.55 photographs.
Actual Madrid have been very torpid in assault towards Man Metropolis. (Picture by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Pictures)
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Regardless of recording 16 complete makes an attempt, Madrid repeatedly discovered themselves caught in the identical cycle – promising build-up play adopted by poor execution within the ultimate moments.
Each potential path to aim was explored, together with urgent transitions, vast overloads, set-piece routines, and even late-box arrivals from Vinicius Jr. appearing as a makeshift striker, however none produced the breakthrough.
An excessive amount of dependacy
The staff’s dependency on Mbappe has develop into undeniably clear. With out him, Actual Madrid seem predictable within the ultimate third and sometimes lack the innovative wanted to unlock elite defences.
Defensive errors could be corrected by way of coaching, whereas missed passes could be ironed out.
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However targets are in the end what heal the whole lot on the Bernabeu, and proper now, discovering them has develop into a posh puzzle.
As Alonso works to stabilise the squad throughout a vital interval of the season, rediscovering attacking stability, with or with out Mbappe, stays essentially the most pressing problem Madrid should resolve.
