Madrid wave goodbye to La Liga in Malaga
“Goodbye LaLiga, goodbye!” the Málaga fans mockingly chanted at the final whistle. And they had a point; winning the league title is now an impossibility for Madrid. Barca boast a nine point cushion and an astounding head-to-head goal difference to boot. The gap between the teams is enormous and even if Barcelona’s paper-thin squad was to become inundated with injuries – something no one wants to see -- I still doubt Real Madrid could overhaul the deficit. The reason they wouldn’t be able to make up the difference is that they’re so unconvincing away from home. The resounding wins Zidane enjoyed during his first few games in charge at the Bernabéu stand in stark contrast with the team’s league performances on the road under his tutelage: languid and stuttering. In this regard, the trips to Granada and Malaga especially stand out.
If either side deserved to win yesterday it was Málaga. Leaving aside the goal Cristiano scored from an offside position (which he immediately followed up with a penalty miss after being taken down in the box), Málaga did more. Javi Gracia’s charges set up better, cut out Madrid’s supply channels (in particular that of Luka Modric), found jinks in the armour of the Madrid back line and tested Keylor Navas on enough occasions to make the Costa Rican emerge as one of only two players in the away team’s dressing room who could hold his head up high. The other was Marcelo, who worked tirelessly throughout the match; exemplary in his defensive duties and at the heart of the team’s few forages up front. The rest of Zidane’s players were below par, and that in spite of a promising start to the game by Isco.
Isco played as a centre forward. Zidane is not one to stray from a 4-3-3 formation, so with that in mind the Spanish midfielder played in the number nine role with Jesé and Cristiano flanking him on either side. In a failed attempt to provide balance to the team, James was sacrificed to make room for Kovacic. Overall Madrid looked like a poorly put together outfit and performed as such. That was why Keylor Navas was kept so busy and why the team wasn’t able to win, despite going in front in fortunate circumstances, thanks to the linesman being caught daydreaming when the free kick was being taken. For the reasons listed and the fact that Málaga were good. Perhaps the Andalusians have a less eye-catching squad, but they played better and were more up for the game.