The current state of Real Madrid paints a bleak picture. The white club is now the third-best Madrid team in terms of European projection, behind Atlético and Rayo Vallecano. The recent fight between Valverde and Tchouaméni has had a disproportionate global impact, an echo that would not have occurred if the team had qualified for the Champions League final. The lack of collective intensity is evident.
Tactical absenteeism and the cost of technological disinterest ⚽
On the technical front, the team lacks a defined pressing system and fluid transitions. The playing model has become predictable: long balls to the wing and waiting for individual brilliance. The absence of a midfield that filters passes and recovers with judgment leaves the defense exposed. Possession data and kilometers covered per match place Madrid in the lower zone of LaLiga in collective effort, a metric that does not lie.
Mbappé, the king of remote work without connection 📉
And then there is Kylian Mbappé, the best-paid work absentee in the country. The forward saves himself for the World Cup while playing at half-speed for Madrid, like someone who goes to the office just to heat up their coffee. His attitude reminds me of those colleagues who ask for the day off when there is a group task, but show up on time for the team photo. If the club were a company, he would have already received an HR report.