Shaky Real Madrid keep leaking goals at the back
Against Girona they let in three goals from set pieces
Real Madrid keep leaking goals in defence. They have shipped one goal per game this season on average, something that's happened since ZIdane took over.
They are not as effective at pressing, like Ernesto Valverde's Barcelona, or at positional play, like Diego Simeone's Atletico Madrid. They suffer at set pieces and on the wings.
THE PROBLEM STARTS UP FRONT
Against Girona they paid a price for Sergio Ramos' absence. He is their best defender in the air. Madrid let in three headed goals and all came from set pieces.
However the problem starts in attack. Benzema and Ronaldo do not like pressing much and that does not help their team. Suarez works relentlessly for Barca, while Griezmann and Costa do the same for Atletico.
CARVAJAL AND MARCELO
Both Madrid's full-backs are good going forward but Los Blancos pay a price at the back. Carvajal is better at defending than Marcelo, more combative, but still gets caught out.
With Lucas Vazquez and Marco Asensio playing Madrid suffer less than when the BBC attack is emoloyed, as they offer more defensive protection.
MORE THAN A GOAL A GAME
The stats speak for themselves. Madrid have let in 31 goals in 29 games, compared to 13 and 14 for Barca and Atletico respectively. 18 more than Barca, 17 more than Atletico.
Too big a difference. Madrid have let in 52 goals in 48 games overall this season. And since Zidane arrived, 142 goals in 135 games. Madrid are clearly a team that does not work hard when they don't have the ball.
