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Real Madrid have mastered the art of playing only 45 minutes of every game this season. So far they’ve scarcely missed the target.
The second half is an opportunity for the opponents to show how good they are and try to level
the game or outright win it. Some people might say that’s a fair approach, perhaps an egalitarian approach to professional football competition.
Mobutu Can’t Stop Scoring
Kylian is in a mood. The Frenchman is made of goals and he is not slowing down. This will be another 50 goal season if he stays healthy.
Vinicius Can’t hit the broad side of a barn
The Brazilian superstar has worked hard this season but has lost his bearings worse than a misplaced house key. A clean hatrick of chances missed against Elche served to lay the foundations for a nervy second half. He could have given his team a proper cushion going into the second half. One must add, if 2 goals isn’t a comfy cushion against Elche..
Turkish Delight?
Arda Güler’s first half performance was mildly enchanting. The hocus pocus of the young Turk had the team playing well. Unlike the previous game, the goals were constructed more than opportunistic. The opening goal from an exquisite free kick seemed to further enhance his growing reputation.
Arda might have forced his way into a serious role. Mourinho has now declared that nobody is untouchable. A seemingly benign statement but one which will be tested consistently in the coming months
Mou Problems
Mourinho has problems but creating chances isn’t one of them. The manager cannot get the team to defend efficiently. They don’t seem to know what the shape is or how they ought to react to opposition attacks or spells of possession. They simply watch on until Courtois finally fails to make a save.
José started Bellingham on the bench and subbed off Vinicius. The rotations are upon us. Vinicius and Bellingham both seemed to react well, further enhancing the perceived harmony of the dressing room.
The Fall Off
If you can’t defend, you might as well squeeze and attack. Real Madrid prefer to ball watch until the game slips away and then suddenly the game is dramatic enough to warrant positive action from the manager and the players themselves.
FOOD FOR Thought
Mourinho is transforming a team that has developed a habit of losing over seasons. He has not changed the core of the team. The manager is not promising miracles but believes instead that the team cannot go for months without improvement. This sounds a challenge to the squad. Midway through September, the manager is saying out loud that the team cannot be this bad when we reach the middle of November. The team must be different then. It is a serious challenge for a team that has become uncharacteristically comfortable with losing.
