On Wednesday Real made a false start in the group stage of the Champions League with a 2: 3 at home against Shakhtar Donetsk. After the bankruptcy against the Ukrainians, Zidane announced that he would find “solutions”. “We will compete there on Saturday and be ready,” he said, looking at the “Clasico”, almost defiantly. “In football everything is gray one day and the next the sun shines,” said the Frenchman. Zidane has never lost as Real coach at Camp Nou. Two wins and three draws is his record after five visits to Barcelona.
Last season, Madrid won the direct duel, which is important for the table placement, after a 0-0 away draw and a 2-0 home win. Currently it is a comparison of two teams that have not yet made it to the top of the table. Real are third after five games, Barcelona only ninth, but have only played four games. League leaders Real Sociedad have already played six matches like second Villarreal.
“Lost children” without self-confidence
The setbacks in the Champions League against Donetsk and before that in the league against Cadiz (0-1) have apparently left their mark on Real. He didn’t see any confidence in his team, said Zidane after the recent defeat. He had tactics against the Ukrainians. Karim Benzema only came on the field as a substitute after the ineffective Luka Jovic – who is facing possible charges in Serbia for disregarding the coronavirus rules – had started the attack. Sergio Ramos was spared. His replacement Eder Militao looked like a “lost child in a shopping center”, wrote the “Marca” about the Brazilian.
An immediate separation from Zidane, even if they lost in Schlager, seems unlikely, as Real is waiting for a tightly packed program with games against Mönchengladbach, Huesca and Inter Milan. Should it not go as desired, according to the media opinion, club boss Florentino Perez could brood. Raul is ready, said commentators in the past few days. The 43-year-old is currently coaching Real Madrid Castilla’s second team. He would be available quickly, knows the club and the players. Raul played together with Captain Ramos.
Dispute over money at Barca
Barcelona also recently lost the league at Getafe. The Catalans then delivered a torgala in the 5-1 win against Ferencvaros Budapest. Lionel Messi scored with a penalty and 17-year-old teenagers Ansu Fati and Pedri were also on the list of goalscorers. The fact that Ronald Koeman was able to successfully integrate some young players into the team is interpreted as a plus point for the Dutchman. An important man could also make his comeback on Saturday in left-back Jordi Alba.
There are arguments behind the scenes. This time it’s about the players’ salaries. These are to be temporarily reduced due to the CoV crisis, 30 percent were rumored. However, the players sent a letter to the board about the much-criticized club boss Josep Maria Bartomeu. One will not tolerate that the club violates the rights of the players with the arguments put forward, it said. That the team protested against this approach was surprising because Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Frenkie de Jong, Gerard Pique and Clement Lenglet extended their contracts this week and agreed to temporary wage adjustments.
