Despite  beating Real Valladolid 4-1 away on the weekend, Real Madrid’s troubles are far from over.  They were knocked out of both Copa Del Rey and Champions League in the space of a week. After losing their semi final cup match to Barcelona, they were hammered at home by Ajax in their Champions League fixture. I’m addition to that, they played an El Clasico in La Liga and lost once again. Los Blancos currently trail Barcelona by 12 points in LA Liga and are therefore shaping up to have a trophyless season. Real Madrid is  essentially playing for a shot in Champions League football next year and that shouldn’t be an ambitious goal for the current European Champions. 1. The departure of Cristiano Ronaldo

So where did it all go wrong for Real Madrid, the thirteen time European champions? I have a couple guesses. 

This is probably the most obvious reason as to why Real Madrid is struggling. Cristiano Ronaldo left Real Madrid last summer to join Juventus leaving a huge gap in the team. Ronaldo is pretty irreplaceable but Los Blancos don’t seem to have anyone close. Admittedly, Karim Benzema, has stepped up as the main man on the team, however, it’s not the same. The most obvious competition he is missing is Champions League. Real Madrid has been struggling to dominate La Liga and Copa Del Rey for years. Champions League, on the other hand, has been one big party for Real Madrid and Madridistas. The role Ronaldo played in Real Madrid’s Champions League success is immense. Ronaldo has rescued Real Madrid in Champions League one too many times and as a result they have won 4 Champions Leagues in 5 years. The fact that they have just dropped out in just the round of 16, which hasn’t happened in so long, to me, isn’t a coincidence. 

2. The Manager

 Los Blancos are currently on their second manager and by the looks of this about to employ their third. Santiago Solari, has not found the winning formula with Real Madrid. He seems to be having issues with Isco and as such has been isolating him from the team even with so many players missing (see next point). In addition to that, the players seems disgruntled and unhappy. Gareth Bale and Marcelo are rumoured to be on their way out. In addition to that, I don’t understand why Keylor Navas has been isolated under Solari. I get that he’s ageing but this man is a three times European champion, sending him to only play cup matches is not what he deserves. Finally, Solari doesn’t seem to be equipped to motivate and bring Real Madrid to their former glory like another former Castilla manager.

3. Injury and Suspension

To be honest Real Madrid has always been plagued by injury, but it seems to be hitting harder than it was before. Vinicíus Junior, one of the most hopeful players on the squad, picked up his injury vs. Ajax. Sergio Ramos, the captain and central defender for Real Madrid also missed that match because of suspension. Other players on the injury list iinclude Dani Carvajal, Lucas Vázquez, Gareth Bale, Marcos Llorente, and Mariano. In addition to that, Casemiro received his first red card yesterday and is suspended and therefore can’t help his team for their next La Liga match. The suspensions and injuries make it impossible for Real Madrid to have depth in their squad. So where does Real Madrid go from here? 

To be honest Real Madrid has always been plagued by injury, but it seems to be hitting harder than it was before. Vinicíus Junior, one of the most hopeful players on the squad, picked up his injury vs. Ajax. Sergio Ramos, the captain and central defender for Real Madrid also missed that match because of suspension. Other players on the injury list iinclude Dani Carvajal, Lucas Vázquez, Gareth Bale, Marcos Llorente, and Mariano. In addition to that, Casemiro received his first red card yesterday and is suspended and therefore can’t help his team for their next La Liga match. The suspensions and injuries make it impossible for Real Madrid to have depth in their squad. 

1. Sign a striker/forward

While Real Madrid found it necessary to sign a big name goalie, they seem to have forgotten that they needed a big name forward. I think Real Madrid needs someone else that is a consistent goal scorer.  As said before, Benzema has stepped up he needs help. Players such as Eden Hazard, Kylian Mbappe, Mauro Icardi, Gabriel Jesus among others would be great additions to the squad. However, Real Madrid failed to sign anyone except Brahim Diaz. It’s not an easy feat to sign big name players but if anyone can do it, Real Madrid can. 2. Get a new manager*

While Real Madrid found it necessary to sign a big name goalie, they seem to have forgotten that they needed a big name forward. I think Real Madrid needs someone else that is a consistent goal scorer.  As said before, Benzema has stepped up he needs help. Players such as Eden Hazard, Kylian Mbappe, Mauro Icardi, Gabriel Jesus among others would be great additions to the squad. However, Real Madrid failed to sign anyone except Brahim Diaz. It’s not an easy feat to sign big name players but if anyone can do it, Real Madrid can. 

While the manager isn’t always the problem, a new manager could breathe some new life into Real Madrid, and maybe their season could have a turn-around like Manchester United under Ole Gunnar. Solari will almost certain lose his job after losing two clasicos and dropping out of their favourite European competition. Prospects include: Jose Mourinho and Zinedine Zidane. Personally, I’d like to see Zidane return to Madrid, as an ex Madrid player himself, he has a way of motivating the team that is unmatched. Some of his criticisms include the time he takes to make his substitutions and he lack of signings. On the other hand his merits include never losing a Champions League finals as well as bringing Real Madrid to a league title which they’ve been struggling to achieve for a little while. While Jose Mourinho is not a stranger to Real Madrid, I’m afraid the ‘Special One’ has lost his special touch. He has issues with young players, is constantly bumping heads with players, and is more rigid and so doesn’t like to adjust his plays. Real Madrid needs inspiration and Mourinho failed to spark that at Manchester United so he’s not my first choice. 

While the manager isn’t always the problem, a new manager could breathe some new life into Real Madrid, and maybe their season could have a turn-around like Manchester United under Ole Gunnar. Solari will almost certain lose his job after losing two clasicos and dropping out of their favourite European competition. Prospects include: Jose Mourinho and Zinedine Zidane. Personally, I’d like to see Zidane return to Madrid, as an ex Madrid player himself, he has a way of motivating the team that is unmatched. Some of his criticisms include the time he takes to make his substitutions and he lack of signings. On the other hand his merits include never losing a Champions League finals as well as bringing Real Madrid to a league title which they’ve been struggling to achieve for a little while. While Jose Mourinho is not a stranger to Real Madrid, I’m afraid the ‘Special One’ has lost his special touch. He has issues with young players, is constantly bumping heads with players, and is more rigid and so doesn’t like to adjust his plays. Real Madrid needs inspiration and Mourinho failed to spark that at Manchester United so he’s not my first choice. 

Real Madrid may not end up with a trophy this season but if they can get their act together they can restore their former glory days. 

*UPDATE: Real Madrid just this afternoon announced that they have appointed Zinedine Zidane as the team’s new manager, as predicted by Trevann. Spot on, Trev!