Real Madrid Grapples with Form and Shirt Controversy Ahead of Derby

Inconsistent Performances Raise Concerns

Real Madrid’s recent 3-2 victory over Elche CF, secured by a late winner from Carlos Espí, highlighted a worrying trend of inconsistent performances. Despite leading by two goals, Real Madrid conceded twice in the second half, showcasing significant defensive disconnections and a perceived lack of attitude ^[1]. This pattern of second-half dips has been a recurring problem, with commentators noting that the team appeared disorganized after the break ^[2]. Some players have been described as ‘sleeping’ and ‘anesthetized,’ with Vinicius Junior specifically having a ‘horrible match’ against Elche ^[3].

Manager José Mourinho’s match management has also come under scrutiny, with some comparing his style unfavorably to Carlo Ancelotti’s ^[3]. While the team ultimately secured the win, the manner of the performance has raised doubts ahead of their upcoming derby. Kylian Mbappé, who has scored eight goals in seven matches, and Arda Guler were noted as leaders in the first half of the Elche game ^[4]. However, both Vinicius Junior and Arda Guler had to leave the field during the match against Elche due to injury concerns ^[5]. Brahim Diaz and Yan Diomandé are reportedly pushing for more game time, suggesting potential changes in the lineup ^[6].

Shirt Controversy and Player Conduct

Off the pitch, Real Madrid has been embroiled in a controversy surrounding Kylian Mbappé, Vinicius Junior, and Ibrahima Konaté. The three players partially obscured or folded their pre-match T-shirts intended to show solidarity for the people of Ceuta ^[7]. This action drew criticism from LaLiga president Javier Tebas, who stated that such initiatives are club acts and players should not opt out ^[8]. Political figures from Vox and the Popular Party also voiced their disapproval, singling out the players for their perceived lack of support for Spanish causes ^[9].

The president of the Real Madrid fan club in Ceuta expressed disappointment, viewing the players’ actions as individual decisions not representative of the club ^[10]. In response to the controversy, Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez will travel to Ceuta to show institutional support for the city ^[11]. Toni Grande, a figure close to the club, commented on the situation, stating that players like Mbappé and Konaté can do what they want regarding their shirts ^[12].

Squad Dynamics and Future Fixtures

Vinicius Junior’s position in the squad hierarchy appears to be shifting, with his recent substitutions and Mbappé’s strong form. Vinicius has scored one goal and provided three assists, while Mbappé has been prolific with eight goals in seven games ^[6]. Toni Grande hopes Vinicius Junior does not remain a footballing promise ^[12]. Meanwhile, young talents like Carlos Espí, who scored the winning goal against Elche, and Arda Guler are pushing for more prominence ^[6].

In other news, Aurélien Tchouaméni, who was barely able to move during the Elche match, and Federico Valverde have reportedly resolved their past differences, contributing to a peaceful dressing room atmosphere ^[13]. Looking ahead, Real Madrid will participate in the Supercopa in Istanbul in February 2027, facing Real Sociedad ^[14]. The club is also fielding an elite U20 squad for the Intercontinental Cup, featuring 20 players from last season’s Youth League winning team ^[15].

What it means

Real Madrid currently sits second in La Liga with 15 points from six matches, boasting a strong goal difference of 17 scored and 6 conceded. Their recent form shows four wins and one loss in their last five league games, including a 3-2 victory over Elche and a 4-1 win against Rayo Vallecano. However, a 0-1 loss to Real Betis and the defensive lapses against Elche highlight areas for improvement. The upcoming fixture against Atlético Madrid will be a significant test, with the site’s forecast locking 24 hours before kick-off. This derby will be crucial for Real Madrid to demonstrate consistency and address the defensive vulnerabilities that have emerged.

Sources

1. Marca: El Madrid pierde el control... y casi media Liga marca.com ↩
2. Marca: Raúl Varela: "Mourinho, por momentos, parece quedarse sin discurso" marca.com ↩
3. Marca: "Si Mourinho quiere hacer de Ancelotti, fracasará" marca.com ↩
4. Marca: Cuándo es el Atlético - Real Madrid: horario y dónde ver en TV el partido de LaLiga EA Sports marca.com ↩
5. The Guardian: Carlos Espí gives Real Madrid hope in the face of Barcelona’s La Liga storm | Sid Lowe theguardian.com ↩
6. Marca: Vinicius pierde terreno marca.com ↩
7. BBC Sport: Mbappe, Vini and Konate cover up Real's message of support for Ceuta bbc.co.uk ↩
8. Marca: Javier Tebas: "Salir con la camiseta doblada es como salir sin ella" marca.com ↩
9. Marca: Vox afea que tres "millonarios" del Real Madrid que viven en España "no apoyen" a los ceutíes marca.com ↩
10. Marca: La peña madridista de Ceuta responde a Mbappé, Vinicius y Konaté marca.com ↩
11. Marca: Florentino Pérez viajará a Ceuta tras la polémica de las camisetas marca.com ↩
12. Marca: "Rodri era un jugador hecho para el Madrid" marca.com ↩
13. Marca: Tchouaméni y Valverde firman la paz marca.com ↩
14. Marca: La RFEF firma el acuerdo de celebración de la Supercopa en Estambul en febrero de 2027 marca.com ↩
15. Marca: El Madrid se moviliza para un día histórico en el Bernabéu marca.com ↩