Real Madrid saw their claim on the Liga throne taking an important blow on Saturday evening, because they were defeated by Real Betis 2-1 in the Benito Villamarin. Los Blancos not only slid from joint-top to the third, lagging leaders Barcelona with three points, but they did this without much fight.
According to Marca, that is the primary care in Valdebebas as a crucial week in which they are confronted with Atletico Madrid in the first stage of their Champions League round of 16 in the Santiago Bernabeu. Both the coaching staff of Real Madrid, including Carlo Ancelotti, and the hierarchy at the club, were worried about what they interpreted and 'indifference' of their stars when they were defeated by Betis.
Just then it seemed that Los Blancos had found their physical condition, form and formula to compete at the highest level, that impression fell apart 'like a house of cards'. The club and Ancelotti do not 'understand' the attitude of their players, especially because they have emphasized their mentality as the key to success in recent months. After seeing how that the team can transform against Manchester City, the lack of 'collective obligation' was again absent.
It is also noted that the injury problems will probably not improve. The absence of Jude Bellingham and Fede Valverde further worsened the issue, because a side that was already without Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao and recently Dani Ceballos, who had been the key to their recent versions. Valverde will return, but Eduardo Camavinga has to deal with back pain and does not play without discomfort, while Brahim Diaz also came up with discomfort on Saturday. 'Raul Asencio and ten more' is the message for their derby collision.
The absence of the academy product seemed to hurt Los Blancos, with David Alaba and Antonio Rudiger struggling to deal with Betis with Cucho Hernandez. It is unlikely that it will be easier in the midweek with every combination of Antoine Griezmann, Julian Alvarez, Angel Correa and Alexander Sorloth opposite them.
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