Desperate Real can’t stop the rot

Vigo – Real Madrid are consistently misfiring and they don’t know what to do about it.

The reigning Spanish and European champions, 16 points behind La Liga leaders Barcelona after a 2-2 draw at Celta Vigo on Sunday, are on the brink of crisis.

Fourth in the table and thrashed 3-0 by arch-rivals Barca before Christmas, Real have virtually no chance of retaining the league title and more trouble lies ahead.

Madrid’s bid to win the Champions League for a third season running depends on overcoming big-spending Paris St Germain in the last-16, a tall order for a side playing as poorly as Zinedine Zidane’s men.

Barcelona, meanwhile, have strengthened by signing Philippe Coutinho from Liverpool while Atletico have added Chelsea striker Diego Costa and Sevilla’s Vitolo to their ranks.

Zidane acknowledged that his team are in trouble but cannot put his finger on why.

“I have to detect the problem because I am responsible,” the French coach said. “And I’ll try and we will try.”

Unusually for a club with such attacking riches, goals have been a major problem this season and no player has scored more than four in La Liga.

Cristiano Ronaldo has 15 netted goals in all competitions, but has been a shadow of his former self.

Gareth Bale has the same tally in seven games and the Welshman netted both Madrid goals against Celta Vigo on a sour night for the champions from which they were lucky to emerge with a point. – Reuters