One win from five shows Real Madrid's away day troubles in 2017
Zidane's side have important away games coming up at Villarreal and Napoli in the coming weeks
Real Madrid are losing gas in 2017. If in 2016 they were unbeatable, even though they were not always at their best, what's true is that since the beginning of the year they have found things tough on the road, much to the joy of Barcelona fans.
While in 2016 they won at places like Real Sociedad (0-3), Espanyol (0-2), Betis (1-6), Alavés (1-4) and even at Atletico Madrid (0-3), while also drawing at Las Palmas (2-2) and Camp Nou, 1-1 with Barça, the numbers from 2017 are very different.
Going further, their first away game at Sevilla, direct rivals for the title, ended in a 2-1 loss. On Feb. 11 they did win at Osasuna, but their 1-3 victory was hard-fought against a side at the bottom of the league with no wins at home this season.
The visit to Valencia on Wednesday didn't go well, either. They lost 2-1 after a fast start from the newly energised Los Che, who scored twice in the opening 10 minutes at Mestalla.
This weekend, Madrid have another away game. It's a tough one as well at Villarreal, a ground where only Alaves and Valencia have left with three points this season. They are currently sixth in the league with 39 points and La Liga's best defence.
COPA DEL REY FAILINGS
Beyond the league, Madrid haven't had luck on the road in the Copa del Rey in 2017, either.
In the round-of-16 they knocked out Sevilla, but only thanks to a 3-0 win at the Bernabeu. At the Sanchez Pizjuan they drew 3-3, but had to come from behind and scored a late equaliser.
Next up was Celta Vigo in the last eight. The Galician team won the first leg at the Bernabeu and Madrid were unable to comeback at Balaidos, where they were held to a 2-2 draw as they exited the Copa del Rey.
They should have played again at Balaidos in the league, but extreme weather conditions saw the game postponed. A date has not yet been arranged for it to be replayed due to each side's participation in European competitions.
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Madrid have not yet played an away game this year in the Champions League, but in this competition this season they have struggled away from the Bernabeu.
Zinedine Zidan's men drew 2-2 at Borussia Dortmund and 3-3 at Legia Warsaw, although they did win in Lisbon, coming from behind to beat Sporting 2-1.
On Mar. 7 they travel to Italy to face Napoli. They hold a 3-1 advantage from the first leg. Their away form, though -- one win in five in 2017 -- gives the Serie A club grounds for optimism.
