Real Madrid: a masterclass in how not to defend LaLiga title
Mathematically, it may not be over; but you'll have a job persuading any Madridista living in the real world that Real Madrid's title race isn't run.
We're not even at the midway point of the LaLiga season...
We've surrendered the LaLiga trophy in pitiful fashion: the reigning champions haven't even made it to the halfway point of the season in with a shout of defending their league crown. And I refuse to take any heart from the memories of Real's come-from-behind title win in 2006/07, because this team has neither the passion nor the enthusiasm shown by that never-say-die side.
At Balaídos, we witnessed just another chapter of what has been the same old story in LaLiga this season. Who could forget the depressing home stalemate with Levante, the goalless draws at the Wanda and San Mamés, or the poor defeat at Girona? And don't get me started on that second half in the Clásico...
Real Madrid are fighting for fourth; that's embarrassing
The same side capable of bringing the joy of five trophies in a calendar year have dropped 19 points already; indeed, we're in a fight for fourth place right now.
And to be perfectly honest, that embarrasses me. Real Madrid ought to be challenging for LaLiga right up until the final ball is kicked: everything that this historic club stands for demands that. Zinedine Zidane's men are on course for a repeat of José Mourinho's final, pathetic league campaign at the Bernabéu, I fear.
The happy campers of Zidane's first 22 months in charge have descended into a state of self-satisfaction that's killing us. It's time they took a long, hard look at themselves in the mirror.