The Madrid way

When the table was laid at home it never felt complete without the soda siphon. If we forgot about it we'd look at each other with a nagging sense that something was missing but not knowing exactly what. Something similar happens with Real Madrid. They create a lot of chances and win numerous free-kicks and corners. Bale comes and goes and has his moments, as do Benzema, Isco and Marcelo. They carve out two or three clear-cut scoring opportunities. Scores of coaches tell the same story after visiting the Bernabéu and on Tuesday I was listening to another one say much the same: "We played really well and created chances. Then, without much fuss, it was 'bang!' and we'd lost the game, and three or four nil."

Same old

Full screen

Madrid have never played dazzling football, even during the glory years. But the few shots they do have normally end up in goals. Now, however, because those goals aren't flowing as easily as before everything else seems worse. But without doubt, this is pretty much the same old Madrid.