The Ancelotti team has admitted 10 goals of headers this season – the same as Celta Vigo. Why did they lose air force?
In the 34th minute of Saturday's game between Betis and Real Madrid, the hosts won a corner. In the heart of Madrid's penalty area, Johnny Cardoso was high and led the Bal-Point-Blank past Courtois, who had no time to respond. It leveled the score at a crucial point of the game. It also raised the 24th goal of Real Madrid in 26 league games this season …
It became even worse for the visitors in the second half when Isco raised that number to 25, a fine converted after a Rüdelger error on Jesús Rodríguez. It means that Real Madrid has admitted almost one goal per match on average (0.96 goals per match).
Last season, Real Madrid won the competition title and he only gave 26 goals that start to finish through the competition directly through the competition, with 21 clean sheets in 38 games. Still, with 12 games that can still be in the current campaign, the goals admitted is already at 25 – only one shy of the total of last season. Regarding keeping clean sheets, they have succeeded in keeping their opponents out in just 10 games.
It is the worst defensive record of Madrid in this phase of the competition since the 2018–19 season, when the team finally finished third, with 31 goals.
What is even more worrying is that Cardoso's goal mirrored a score by Muriqi during the season opener against Mallorca in August – a match that ended in a 1-1 draw. The piece was almost identical, only with different protagonists. While Isco supplied the corner for Betis, it was Dani Rodríguez who took the set piece in the Lluis Sitjar, aimed at the space between the center of the penalty area of Madrid and the distant pole. In Seville, Cardoso Connected; And in Mallorca, Muriqi.
It is striking how easily Madrid is overwhelmed in Set-piece situations, especially in view of their length in the defense: Courtois (6'7 ″), Rüdiger (6ibrated ″) and Tchouaméni (6ibrated ″). Cardoso, for example, is on 6'1 ″, the same height as Raúl Asencio, who was gave birth during the competition. Against Betis, Madrid succeeded in winning only two air duels, thanks to Tchouaméni and Camavinga. Betis, on the other hand, won six, the total of Triple Madrid.
The defensive struggles of Madrid in the air were also clear during their draw in Vallecas against Rayo Vallecano. In that match, the team gave two main goals – one from Unai López after a cross of the right flank and another Van Mumin, again from a corner.
Madrid and Celta: Laliga's weakest teams in the air
Until now, the side of Ancelotti has admitted 10 cup goals in all competitions, the same number as Celta Vigo and the highest in this category. Madrid clearly loses the air fight.
The struggles were not limited to air fights against betis – their dominance extended when the ball was also on the ground. The Verdiblancos struck 18 times the goal of Courtois – the highest number of attempts on Target Elk La Liga team has been managed against Real Madrid this season. In all competitions this is when the third highest shot count Madrid, with only Brest (23 shots) and Atalanta (20) chased. In particular, all three competitions took place of the Bernabéu. Nevertheless, Madrid triumphed both encounters with Champions League and beat Brest 3-0 and Atalanta 3-2.
Madrid's form on the road
This season, Madrid recorded six victories, five draws and three losses away from home in La Liga. For comparison: last season they only suffered one road defeat (a 3-1 loss for Atlético) and registered five drawings – identical to their current count. Under the leadership of Ancelotti, Madrid insured an impressive 13 wins of 19 during the previous campaign.
In summary, Real Madrid has lost his momentum in the last five La Liga matches, in which they only manage one victory – a 2-0 win against Girona in the Bernabéu – in addition to two defeats and two draws. This allows them only five points of a possible 15. As an addition to their problems, they have not achieved a win in one of their last three road competition matches. They suffered defeats against Espanyol and Betis and deserved only one point in a draw at El Sadar.
It marks the first time since May 2023 that Madrid left three consecutive away games without a victory during a single season. At that time they lost from Girona (4–2, MatchDay 31), Real Sociedad (2-0, Matchday 33) and Valencia (1-0, MatchDay 35).
Looking ahead, they are confronted with challenging visits to Villarreal, Alavés, Getafe, Barcelona and Sevilla – making their way to recovery anything but simple.
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