Real Madrid's Struggles Continue in La Liga
Real Madrid's difficulties in La Liga persist after suffering a 2-1 defeat to city rivals Atlético Madrid in the capital derby during the seventh round, raising new questions about the team's performance under Portuguese coach José Mourinho in his second stint.
Despite changes made to the squad during the summer transfer window, old problems remain, particularly regarding collective build-up, pressing, and the chemistry among key attacking stars like Frenchman Kylian Mbappé, Brazilian Vinícius Júnior, and Englishman Jude Bellingham.
Following the loss to Atlético Madrid, the debate over officiating has once again become a focal point within the club, with Mourinho criticizing referee Miguel Ángel Ortiz Arias and VAR official Daniel Jesús Trujillo for not issuing clear red cards against South Korean Kang-In Lee and Argentine Cristian Romero after two fouls on Uruguayan Federico Valverde and Bellingham.
However, the Portuguese coach did not limit his criticism to officiating alone; he acknowledged that his team lacks "many elements," as Real Madrid trails six points behind arch-rivals Barcelona, the reigning champions for the past two seasons and currently at the top of the table before the international break.
Technical observations focus on the absence of a clear identity in playing style and a stable collective structure, despite signing seven players over the summer, including Spanish full-back Marc Cucurella, French defender Ibrahima Konaté, and Ivorian Yan Diedhiou.
During the derby match, Real Madrid appeared unable for long stretches to build attacks or apply collective pressure to regain possession, with the team often divided between its lines, particularly as Aurélien Tchouaméni bore significant defensive responsibilities in midfield, while the contributions of Mbappé, Vinícius, and Bellingham on the defensive side were limited.
Vinícius Under Scrutiny
Criticism is mounting against Vinícius Júnior, who was substituted in the 54th minute against Atlético Madrid after a disappointing performance, as the player continues to seek to regain the form he displayed during the 2023-2024 season.
Since extending his contract at the beginning of August until 2032, the Brazilian winger has struggled to recapture his previous impact, facing difficulties in finishing attacks and finding it hard to get past defenders or connect with his teammates effectively.
In contrast, Mbappé enjoys a greater degree of immunity from criticism, having scored seven goals in seven matches, while Bellingham is forced to take on additional roles to cover gaps in midfield.
Some fans and voices in the Spanish press are calling for Mourinho to make more decisive choices, such as giving Diedhiou a starting opportunity on the left wing instead of Vinícius, as well as resolving the competition in midfield between Bellingham and Turkish player Arda Güler, and between Tchouaméni and Valverde.
The first signs of Mourinho's choices are expected to emerge after the international break when Real Madrid faces Villarreal in La Liga, followed by Italian side Roma in the UEFA Champions League, in two phases that could determine the team's path in the upcoming period.
