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Real Madrid have added only one point out of six possible in the Champions League, which means that qualification for the round of 16 of the competition has been complicated.
There are reasons to think that Whites’ chances of reaching the round of 16 are in serious jeopardy, with the 13-time Champions League champion currently last in their group, but there are also reasons to think that Real Madrid will reach the last sixteen.
Reasons to believe:
The return of Hazard
Eden Hazard entered the second half against Borussia Monchengladbach on Tuesday and put on a decent performance. It is clear that Real Madrid need a player of his quality for what is to come in the Champions League, where each game will be seen as a final.
The Belgian isn’t quite up to speed yet, but he showed glimpses of what he can do in his cameo. Karim Benzema is the player who needs him the most. Together, they can put an end to Real Madrid’s problems in attack.
Asensio is completely healthy
Marco Asensio was one of the best Real Madrid players in Germany. The Asensio from before his knee injury was seen; The fearless player lunged at opponents and created danger, again with a spark.
This is great news for Zinedine Zidane and, although he did not find the back of the net, the Spaniard is a determined player who will do everything he can to ensure he scores goals and assists to help the Whites attack.
A point that keeps them alive
It may sound crazy, but given the way the match was organized, the late comeback against Gladbach could represent a turning point for Real Madrid. The ability to rescue something from the dying embers of the game is in the club’s DNA.
What this point also means is that the Germans now go to two, instead of four, while Inter and Shakhtar Donetsk are both at four. A defeat would have left Zidane’s players on the brink of elimination.
Love for the Champions League
Real Madrid always gives their best in the Champions League: it is their competition and it is not very credible that they do not pass the group stage. The point in Germany means they are still alive.
Zidane is an expert in this competition
It is rare that Zidane falls short in the Champions League. Last season was the first time they failed to win the competition, with Manchester City eliminating Real Madrid in the round of 16.
The French is one of the weapons of the whites when it comes to believing that the seemingly impossible is possible. Zidane has the ability to convince and motivate his players.
Reasons not to believe:
Just one point
The reality is that nobody thought that after two games – Shakhtar at home and Gladbach away – Real Madrid would be last in their Champions group with one point. Now, the pressure is mounting before the last four games of the group stage.
There is not much margin for error and the Whites have not given the impression that they can go and win four games in a row, especially with two against Inter.
Lack of goals
This has been a problem since Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure in the summer of 2018, but it was not for lack of attempts against Gladbach. The German team scored two goals from roughly their first two shots on goal, while Real Madrid needed 16 shots before scoring their first goal in the 86th minute.
Whites rarely translate their dominance into goals and in the end they ended up paying for it, despite recent goals from Benzema and Casemiro. This is a game that they could and should have won.
The toughest opponent comes
Real Madrid now have back-to-back matches against Inter in the Champions League, and the Nerazzurri have also been a bit disappointing after drawing their first two matches.
However, Zidane’s men will face the other giant of the group, first at the Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium and then at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza. There is the possibility that one of Real Madrid or Inter does not reach the round of 16.
Goodbye to the wall in defense
Real Madrid didn’t score many goals last season, but at least they could count on a wall in their back. Well that’s not the case anymore. Shakhtar scored three goals, Gladbach two … Five goals have been conceded from a total of six shots.
In total, Los Blancos have conceded 12 goals in their last six Champions League games: two at home against Paris Saint-Germain, one away at Club Brugge, four against Manchester City in the round of 16, three against Madrid. Shakhtar at the Di Stefano, and then a brace from Lilian Thuram’s son Marcus.
The Vinicius recession
The improvement seen in Vinicius Junior now seems like a mirage. The Brazilian had scored three goals, some of them with good shot quality, but the match in Germany saw him return to his old ways.
Vague, his problems in front of goal persist. He also didn’t show his speed or dribbling ability, which is often part of the justification for including Vinicius in the lineup. It’s not that Rodrygo Goes, the other Brazilian prospect at the club, changes things much when he comes in as well.
If Vinicius really has the talent and the desire to succeed at Real Madrid, we will have to give him more time, but the truth is that the Spanish champions do not wait for almost anyone. Asensio, Benzema and Hazard is the trident that Zidane plans for the comeback.
Source: m.allfootballapp.com
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