Real Madrid ended their 2018/19 season without any sort of silverware. The same was rather shocking for the Bernabeu faithful who had seen their team lift the UEFA Champions League trophy about 12 months ago for the third successive time.
There could be a large number of factors that could be blamed for the poor season Madrid had. However, Los Blancos need to learn from the mistakes they committed last season and ensure that they are not repeated this time around. The 4th Official lists out three things Real Madrid must do to win any silverware this season.
Consistency
Real Madrid were extremely inconsistent last season in the league and no wonder they finished a staggering 19 points off the eventual winners, Barcelona. Los Blancos dropped points in 17 games last season with twelve defeats and five draws. In all honesty, Real Madrid was ruled out of the La Liga title race in the first half of the season itself.
Last time around, Real Madrid went crashing out of the UEFA Champions League in the RO16 phase to Ajax. However, Zidane would have to ensure that he has a fully fit team by the time the UCL knockout fixtures arrive to make it further into the competition this time around.
Good Squad Morale
It was evident during the tenures of Julen Lopetegui and Santiago Solari that the Santiago Bernabeu dressing room was not the happiest of camps. Several fights within the team were noticeable like the one involving Sergio Ramos and Sergio Reguilon at the Ciudad Valdebebas.
Additionally, the same Real Madrid side under the two above mentioned managers lacked any sort of motivation and zeal to fight for the shirt or the badge which they were wearing.
Zidane got himself into trouble in the pre-season when he publicly commented on Gareth Bale and James Rodriguez. Zizou indirectly made it clear to the press that the two players were surplus to requirement at the Bernabeu. However, an untimely injury to Marco Asensio got Zidane to change his plans and keep Bale and James at the club. This problem seems to have been resolved lately with Gareth Bale starting in all possible Real Madrid games this season. James has also become a key member of the side.
Match Preparation
Real Madrid were barely a recognisable force last season across all competitions. Real Madrid ended up losing 12 matches in the league itself. It speaks volumes about a side that had just won three back to back UEFA Champions League titles. This makes it clear that Real Madrid did not play each game on its merit last season in the league as well as the UCL.
Something similar was noticed earlier this week when Real Madrid made the trip to the Parc des Princes and lost 3-0. Zidane would have to keep the mistakes that were made last season in mind and learn from them at the very earliest to win some silverware with Los Blancos this season.
