RM still plays well in the first two thirds: they build well from the back, play past opposition presses, control games and reduce the frequency of successful counterattacks.
But once in the final third, there are no clear ideas on how to create chances.
But once in the final third, there are no clear ideas on how to create chances.
This shouldn't surprise us. For 9 years, RM creating chances = getting the ball to Ronaldo. He was the focal point & made it easy for everyone to create chances (see @OmVArvind's video)
His departure forces RM to reformulate how they create chances.
His departure forces RM to reformulate how they create chances.
That's not an easy transition. If Zidane's RM ran out of ideas, they could simply default to "crossing FC on Ronaldo".
That's not an option anymore. Bale is a volume shooter (4-5 shots p90) but RM can't focus the majority of their shot volume on him like they did with Ronaldo.
That's not an option anymore. Bale is a volume shooter (4-5 shots p90) but RM can't focus the majority of their shot volume on him like they did with Ronaldo.
Julen understands this, and that's also part of the reason why he decided to go for a very mobile forward trio. Helps redistribute the shooting load and not depend so much on one person.
But Asensio and especially Benzema are not holding up their part of the shooting deal.
But Asensio and especially Benzema are not holding up their part of the shooting deal.
Asensio hasn't increased his xG and shot volume compared to last season. Also, he has finishing issues right now, see xG underperformance below.
Benzema has somehow managed to decrease his xG and shot volume (so much for the "Ronaldo held Karim back" narrative).
Benzema has somehow managed to decrease his xG and shot volume (so much for the "Ronaldo held Karim back" narrative).
How to compensate for this deficit? Mariano starting would certainly help, although he comes at the cost of decreasing the quality of the team's build up play and possessions.
Julen has a big challenge in figuring out how to integrate Mariano into the possession-based system.
Julen has a big challenge in figuring out how to integrate Mariano into the possession-based system.
The other option could be to break up the CKM midfield. As great as Casemiro, Kroos and Modric have been to this team, they are a midfield specialized in control, not producing goals/assists. And RM could afford that because Ronaldo and co. up front took care of the latter.
Under the current conditions, RM could use a CM who produces goal/assists more consistently, like City, Barca, and Bayern do with KDB, Coutinho and James.
Isco could do something similar right now, and who knows, maybe James can still come back?
Isco could do something similar right now, and who knows, maybe James can still come back?
If Asensio and Benzema can't improve their shot volume and get into scoring positions more often, RM will have to look for alternatives in the transfer market. Someone who can provide those things while also being compatible with the team's possession-based system.
