Real Madrid’s disastrous start to the league season has caused Jose Mourinho to complain of a lack of commitment and focus, accusing his players of displaying a poor attitude.
A haul of just four points in four games, which has seen the club fall eight points behind Barcelona, has caused the ‘Special One’ to point the finger at a number of individuals within the dressing room.
Here are six reasons why Real Madrid’s start to the season has been so poor:
A lack of cutting edge:
In four fixtures (against Valencia, Granada, Getafe and Sevilla), Madrid has registered more than 30 shots on target, but has netted just five goals. Last year’s champion side was much more clinical in front of goal than the Whites have been this season.
Errors from set-pieces:
Madrid has conceded four goals in total, three of which have come from set pieces. This has been a long-standing problem for the club: in recent years ‘Los Blancos’ have struggled big time from opposition set plays.
Fitness issues:
The team is looking jaded, a fact which the players attribute to a poor pre-season (including the tour of the US).
A two-man show up front:
Despite scoring five times in four games, only two players have got on the scoresheet for Real Madrid: Higuaín (3) and Cristiano Ronaldo (2). Benzema has yet to get going this year, while Di María, Callejón, Xabi Alonso and Modric have yet to chip in with their share of goals from the midfield.
Complacency?:
After a record breaking league campaign last season, several players seem not to be as motivated as they were 12 months ago.
Casillas’ average form:
In the past, Madrid’s goalkeeper has come to the team’s rescue when the odds seemed to be stacked against it. However, ‘Saint Iker’, as he is affectionately known at the Bernabéu, has been brought down to earth at the beginning of this season.