In real trouble: For Madrid fans, 2012-13 season is turning out to be a disaster

For Real Madrid fans, the 2012-13 season is turning out to be a disaster. The defending Spanish champions are already 16 points adrift of league leaders Barcelona. In fact, los Blancos are now placed third, with 33 points from 17 matches , seven points behind second-placed Atletico Madrid. Last season the team had a wonderful run, breaking a number of La Liga records — it ratcheted up 100 points; scored 121 goals with a goal difference of +90. In the 38 league matches Real Madrid played, it drew only two and lost four. The stats, this season, are despairing: Real has lost four and drawn three already. So what has gone wrong? Has coach Jose Mourinho, the self-confessed ‘Chosen One’ lost his touch? His decision to bench long-time captain Iker Casillas in Saturday’s match against Malaga was inexplicable and proved costly. Real lost 2-3. But there is a deeper problem. If reports are to be believed, Mourinho has personal issues with senior players such as Casillas and Sergio Ramos. He doesn’t seem to have too much faith in former Fifa Footballer of the Year and Ballon d’Or winner Kaka, rarely giving him a start.

But things have not always gone in Mourinho’s favour. His star players — Cristiano Ronaldo, Gonzalo Higuain, Mesut Ozil and Sami Khedira — are woefully out of form. Madrid’s defending against set pieces has been abysmally poor as has been their finishing . Mourinho has criticised some of his players saying that for them ‘football is not a priority’. Mourinho might be eyeing the Champions’ Trophy; but that is a totally different ball game. Instead Real might do some mid-course correction. Forget the present and look at the future. Groom young players like Barca does and instil pride in being a member of the Real Madrid family. Money (or stars) can’t always fill your trophy cabinet.