Zinédine Zidane sees Betis Sevilla as the “worst game of the season” for his team. Within a short time, Real are threatening to ruin their season.
Real Madrid are in the mood for the end of the season. And it’s not because of the coronavirus.
Just over a week after their 2-0 prestige win against FC Barcelona in the Clásico and their conquest of the top of the standings, the Real are in for a big disappointment.
“Total loss! The worst Madrid of the season” was the headline for the Marca after coach Zinédine Zidane’s side lost 2-1 at Betis Seville on Sunday evening.
Champions League Cup away and first leg bankruptcy
With big rivals Barca completing their compulsory task the day before by scoring three points against Real Sociedad, Real dropped back to second place in La Liga.
With eleven matchdays to go and plenty of time to make things right, Casemiro brought the situation to a head. “We’re only human, but this defeat could cost us the championship in the end,” said the Brazilian.
And it’s not just the championship that is threatening to go down the drain. In the Champions League, only a small miracle can prevent the loss in the last 16 after the 2-1 home defeat in the first leg against Manchester City.
In the Copa del Rey, Real Sociedad reached the quarter-finals at the beginning of February. So Real could end the season without a major title, as they did last year.
What worries Casemiro and his team mates is not only the table situation, but above all the sporting performance is giving cause for concern.
Zidane with tough analysis
Zidane was talking about “this was our worst game of the season.” It was “because of everything”, the Frenchman summed up disillusionment and announced that he would take full responsibility for the defeat.
The Spanish newspaper as also blamed the coach. “Zidane is losing his shine” wrote the paper. In his second term in office, he already conceded his tenth defeat in his 50th game. When Zidane first coached the real pros, it took 105 games until the tenth defeat.