That’s a Real concern
Los Blancos on worst goalless run in 12 years with CSKA loss
MOSCOW: Not since the days of David Beckham has Real Madrid gone so long without scoring.
Tuesday’s 1-0 loss to CSKA Moscow in the Champions League was the Spanish giant’s third game without a goal – their worst run since the 2006-2007 season.
Back then, Ruud van Nistelrooy scored to get Real out of their slump.
This time around, Real coach Julen Lopetegui says he’s keeping faith in Karim Benzema, who hasn’t scored in six games.
“It’s not just a problem for Benzema but for all the attacking players,” Lopetegui said through a translator.
“We need to keep creating chances, that’s all we can do.
“I’m sure that sooner or later we’ll start scoring, with this level of dedication.”
Real hit the woodwork three times against a Russian team who went – and stayed – ahead through Nikola Vlasic’s goal in the second minute on a frustrating night for the reigning European champion.
Real lost 3-0 at Sevilla last Wednesday in the La Liga and drew 0-0 in Saturday’s Madrid derby against Atletico.
“Playing at home, the early goal was the ideal situation for CSKA but we couldn’t use our chances,” Lopetegui said.
With Sergio Ramos rested, the reigning European champions’ defence seemed disjoint- ed and they conceded early when Vlasic intercepted a pass from Toni Kroos and struck the ball low past Keylor Navas.
Real slowly found their way into the game but had to contend with a tightly packed CSKA defence.
Casemiro hit the post in the 28th minute with a speculative shot, Benzema headed onto the bar in the 40th and Mariano Diaz headed onto the post late on.
Even with nearly 70% possession and Luka Modric introduced off the bench, Real couldn’t break down CSKA and offered the Russian team chances on the counter-attack.
The game ended in particularly frustrating style for Real as repeated headers from Diaz missed the target.
Deep into stoppage time, CSKA goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev was sent off after collecting two quick yellow cards in a dispute with the referee. It came too late for Real.
Akinfeev and rightback Mario Fernandes celebrated their second surprise win over the Spanish opposition in three months after being part of the Russia side who beat Spain on penalties at the same stadium during the World Cup.
When Dani Carvajal limped off just before half-time, Real seemed set to add to an injury list which already contains Gareth Bale, Marcelo and Isco.
“It’s a muscle injury but we need to wait for the results of the analysis,” Lopetegui said.
AS Roma beat Viktoria Plzen 5-0 helped by Edin Dzeko’s hattrick in Tuesday’s other game in Group G.
That leaves CSKA the surprise group leaders with four points, ahead of Real and Roma with three each and Plzen on one point.
Real had a tough reception in Moscow, with the home crowd packing the vast Luzhniki Stadium on a chilly night.
Since arriving in Moscow on loan from Everton, the 20-year-old Vlasic has scored key goals for CSKA, salvaging a 2-2 draw away to Plzen in CSKA’s Champions League opener and rescuing a point in a 1-1 derby draw with rival Spartak Moscow.
“He was fantastic, not just in this game but in the games before too,” CSKA coach Viktor Goncharenko said.
“He understood he had to be a leader and took that mantle.”
Akinfeev, a hero of Russia’s win over Spain in the World Cup, stopped Carvajal and Marco Asensio’s shots either side of the break.
Fyodor Chalov could have put CSKA 2-0 up in the 18th but his shot was weak and saved by Navas.
Lopetegui’s team face Alaves and Levante in the La Liga, then Plzen in the Champions League, before the Oct 28 “clasico” at Barcelona.