Real Madrid in 2018: Heading for a crisis?
What's the story
Real Madrid have seen phenomenal success over the last 5 seasons, winning the Champions League four times and thrice in a row. But the 2018-19 season brings new challenges as Real have lost two of their talismen, both on and off the field. Cristiano Ronaldo and Zinedine Zidane have bid adieu to Los Blancos. Here's why Real Madrid are heading towards a disaster.
UCL
How will Real perform in the Champions League without Ronaldo?
Real's astounding success, on the European side of things, owes a lot to the mesmerizing brilliance of Cristiano Ronaldo (451 goals in 438 games). But the prolific striker has finally left Real for Juventus this season. Without his goal-scoring abilities, and no news about Real signing a new goal-machine, it seems unlikely that they will be able to replicate their European dominance this season.
Zidane
Zidane's sudden departure will call for a change of ways
A manager is an all-encompassing figure for a football team, deciding about their playing style, approach, tactics and the likes. With Zidane leaving his managerial position, after the UCL 2017-18 win, Julen Lopetegui-led Real will play a different kind of football, which might or might not suit their stars. To adjust under a new manager is never an easy task.
Lopetegui
Lopetegui: His history as a manager should worry Madrid fans
Lopetegui had an unbeaten run of 20 games with the Spanish national side before he was 'poached' by Los Blancos. However, his records as a club manager have not been impressive. His first coaching spell at Rayo Vallecano saw him getting sacked just after 10 matches. At Porto as well, Julen was shown the exit door after a period of silverware drought.
Modric
More trouble: Mid-field maestro Luka Modric heading for Inter?
The 2018 World Cup Golden Ball winner Luka Modric, reportedly, wants to move away from the Spanish capital. He has been a vital force at Real, creating attacking chances artfully. His creative play and dribbling abilities also played a huge role in Real's recent successes. Now that the Croatian maestro wants to move to Inter Milan, Real have to look for a resourceful replacement.