Club Cup might just be a Real distraction

Real Madrid have enjoyed a vintage season so far. Highest scorers in all of the top European leagues, Los Blancos have also breezed through the Champions League group stages with two games still to play. If they continue scoring at the same incessant rate, we could be looking at a league campaign that produces almost 150 goals!!

Frankly, Carlo Ancelotti’s men look completely unstoppable at this juncture, however December’s fixture list could play havoc for Cristiano Ronaldo and co and potentially derail the juggernaut. The games come thick and fast with four in 10 days to start the month, but it’s what happens in Morocco in the mid part of the month that will interest many.

Ronaldo has already noted that the Club World Cup is highest on his agenda, given that it’s the one club accolade missing from an extensive personal trophy haul.

But do Real really need the hassle of a relatively insignificant Fifa- driven tournament at this stage of their season?

In all likelihood, Madrid will steamroller their way to the world title in any event because, with the greatest of respect to teams such as Cruz Azul and Western Sydney Wanderers, they’re nowhere near the same class as Spain’s finest.

Indeed, Cruz Azul currently find themselves floundering in 12th position in the Mexican Liga MX, just five points from the relegation places. Not really too much kudos in beating teams of that calibre I would suggest. Luka Modric will be sorely missed having picked up a long- term injury in an insignificant Croatian friendly, which should in itself highlight the dangers of throwing in games/ competitions of this ilk mid- season.

Taking Real out of the La Liga equation too for the two- plus weeks in which they contest the Club World Cup may well further upset the team equilibrium in a campaign where they are taking all before them. However, as Ancelotti’s charges seek to become the first side in the modern era to win back- to- back Champions League titles, whilst also breaking almost every record in La Liga, surely it’s time to take stock and say “enough.”

Ronaldo is already a world champion in most people’s eyes anyway. Do he and his teammates really need to risk success elsewhere in order to get a little gold badge on their shirts and labour the point?