What's up with Real Madrid at the Bernabéu?
Zidane's men have dropped 11 points in the last ten league games at home but have won ten out of ten of their past games on the road.
It's generally accepted in the world of sport that any given team is stronger when playing at home. This currently isn't a situation that can be applied to Real Madrid with their league form at home bucking that trend. In the current 2017/18 campaign Zidane's side have picked up just two points from a possible six at home and in last season's championship win, the men in white picked up more points away from the Bernabeu than at home.
After encouraging triumphs over Barcelona and Manchester United in the Spanish and UEFA Super Cups respectively, the mood among the Real Madrid faithful was one of utmost optimism. Disappointing home draws against Valencia and Levante have gone some way in tempering that early season euphoria.
Marathon not a sprint
Granted, the 2017/18 campaign season is only three games old and it would be premature to draw definite conclusions but a disquieting pattern seems to be developing. In addition to the draws against the Valencian based teams, in their past back-to-back league games at home Real Madrid have dropped eleven points from a possible thirty but away from from Zidane's men are exemplary with ten wins on the bounce for the side from the capital.
Barça and Atleti
During the 2016/17 season, games against league challengers Barcelona and Atlético yielded more dividends at Camp Nou and the Calderon with a draw against the Catalan side and a win away in the Madrid derby. At home a last minute Messi strike secured maximum points for Barça in "El Clasico" in the capital whilst a late Griezmann equaliser ensured ponts were shared when both Madrid giants faced each other at the Bernabeu.
Whilst Real Madrid are the LaLiga side currently with the best away record in the competition it may be premature for alarm bells to be ringing but Zidane will be acutely aware that ensuring the Bernabeu is a fortress where rival teams struggle is a key ingredient if his side are to retain their domestic and European titles.