Real Madrid is anxiously awaiting the performances of Atlético Madrid and Barcelona in LaLiga on Sunday. The team of trainer Zinedine Zidane did not score on Saturday evening for the fourth consecutive season (!) In a competition context in a home game with Real Betis, which was left with no less than eight points from the last four visits: 0-1, 0-2, 0-0 and also Saturday 0-0. “With the thoughts of Chelsea,” it says in large letters on the front page Marca, referring to next Tuesday’s Champions League game. “The loss of points makes the battle for the national title more difficult.” The front page of ASH is also telling: ‘One step back’.
“Real Madrid fails offensively and risks its chances in LaLiga.” The Catalan Sport has the word ‘misstep’ in large letters on the front page and states that Real Madrid’s chances of the title prolongation are ‘lost’. The daily adds that Barcelona awaits ‘a test by fire’ in the game with Villarreal. Mundo Deportivo has ‘Again a finale’ on the front page. “Barcelona faces a particularly tough away game and a victory is all that matters to be in control of winning the league title.”
Spanish media scattered on Sunday with unsatisfactory scores and narrowly enough for the players of Real Madrid. Almost all newspapers agree that Eder Militao also showed on Saturday that he will not disappear from the base in this form. “The games are piling up and Militao is showing that he is maintaining his good level,” notes ASH. “He prevented a counterattack through Diego Lainez in the 23rd minute and prevented Borja Iglesias from scoring in the 43rd minute. The return of an undisputed basic force. ” Sport Militao handed out a seven. “The Brazilian is having a great season and is definitely not out of place in defense. The absence of Sergio Ramos no longer causes any headaches for the Real Madrid supporters. He forms an efficient couple with Raphaël Varane. ”
“Who still remembers Sergio Ramos?” Asks Marca even wondered on Sunday. “Militao has shaken off all doubts. Everyone’s laughter has died down. Militao reaches a spectacular level and there will hardly be people who doubt whether he is suitable for Real Madrid. He gets better every game and Zidane would face a particularly difficult choice if all of his central defenders were fit. Previously, Sergio Ramos could play for this team at fifty percent, but now? Ramos is a thing of the past. He will have a very hard time getting around to play when he returns. And also to extend his contract given the level of Militao, Varane and also Nacho Fernández. ”
Hardest race of the season
Zidane does not think that Real Madrid has dropped out in the battle for the national title. “We lost two points, that’s right, but I think we are still a title contender. We have to move on. We tried, but it was offensive, in possession of the ball, not enough. We played very well defensively. ” The lack of a win was not due to fatigue among the players, Zidane judged. “We have often talked about the physical strain, but that was not the problem today. We finished the game much better than other times. It was more that we were not on the lookout from an offensive point of view. ”
Real Madrid no longer has the renewal of the national title in their own hands, especially if Atlético Madrid and Barcelona win their respective matches at Athletic Club and Villarreal today. Seville can be one point away from Real Madrid if Granada is won. Zidane doesn’t think the competition will win all of the remaining games. “No, I do not think so. If so, we won’t win the league title ”, Zidane laughed. “The other teams are in the same situation as us. We focus on our performance and we wait and see what the rest does. I don’t think they are going to win all matches. I hope so.”
Zidane’s team will play the first game against Chelsea in the semi-finals of the Champions League on Tuesday. The draw against Betis will have no effect. “No, no, no”, Zidane emphasized. “It has nothing to do with each other. It’s a semi-final, a very difficult match. ” The Frenchman was asked whether it is the right time to play against Thomas Tuchel’s team. He sighed. “If we miss points, we are supposedly in a dip and the competition will not be bothered by anything. It’s the same old story. We have to recover and the most difficult game of the season awaits us on Tuesday ”, emphasized the coach of los Merengues.