The five keys to Real Madrid's early crisis and slow start in La Liga
Zidane's side have been questioned after failing to win any of their first three home games
The BBC have disappeared due to injuries, suspensions and a general lack of form
Real Madrid have dropped seven points in the first five games of the season and have been left behind by Barcelona, the early leader with 15 points from 15 and Lionel Messi in top form.
If the draws at home to Valencia (2-2) and Levante (1-1) had put Madrid on alert, the loss to Real Betis (0-1) has set the alarms off at the club as they enter their biggest slump since Zinedine Zidane took charge.
FROM PRAISE TO...
Madrid were praised after they followed their La Liga and Champions League success up with wins in the European and Spanish Super Cup against tough opposition in Manchester United (2-1) and Barcelona (1-3, 2-0) but they are now being criticised for their form at the Santiago Bernabeu -- they've failed to win all three of their league games at home. There are also questions about a failure to replace the squad players, following the departures of Alvaro Morata and James Rodriguez.
KEYS TO THE CRISIS
Here are some of the keys to Madrid's slow start to the 2017/18 season:
Defensive vulnerability. Real Madrid have kept just one clean sheet, against Deportivo on the opening weekend of the season. They have conceded in each of their three home games and away at Real Sociedad (1-3). The team is playing without the necessary intensity, perhaps becuase of a physical drop following the demands of the Super Cups in August.
The BBC's disappeared. Until now, Real Madrid have not been able to count on their trident. Karim Benzema is currently injured, while Cristiano Ronaldo was banned for four league games after his dismissal in the Spanish Super Cup. Gareth Bale, meanwhile, has scored two of the team's nine goals in the league this season. It also seems they're too anxious in attack: 67 shots on goal at home have only resulted in three goals.
Lack of alternatives after sales. Related to the previous point. Alvaro Morata (three goals and two assists in six games with Chelsea) and James Rodriguez (one goal and one assists in three games with Bayern) are no longer in the squad. Although Madrid insist the signings of Theo Hernandez and Dani Ceballos were sufficient to strengthen Zidane's squad, the results have so far suggested otherwise.
Zidane's tactical decisions. In recent games, Zidane has been questione for leaving Borja Mayoral out when Benzema was injured (he did finally bring him in at La Real) and for constantly taking off players like Isco and Luka Modric, who can build play from midfield. Bale, even though he did OK against Betis, has been poor in general but is still picked ahead of players in better form, such as Marco Asensio.
Injuries. Zidane has had to tackle injuries to Marcelo, Theo Hernandez, Benzema, Kovacic, Vallejo and Varane in these early weeks of the season. However, when it's matter, he's stil stuck to the same players, without giving chances to Ceballos, for example. And against Betis, only Benzema was missing from the gala line-up.
