Real Madrid players blamed for lack of effort after Atletico derby defeat

Real Madrid’s players have been criticised for failing to run or provide the effort required after their 2-1 defeat by Atletico Madrid.

There has been widespread agreement among radio pundits about the team’s performances this season, with the players accused of not working hard enough and lacking unity.

After seven rounds of La Liga, Real Madrid enter the international break fourth in the table, six points behind leaders Barcelona, who have made a particularly strong start.

According to Mundo Deportivo, the contributors on the El Partidazo programme on COPE all agreed that the players should be held responsible for Real Madrid’s current situation.

Spanish broadcaster Manolo Lama said the problem could not be attributed to the managers.

“Neither with Carlo Ancelotti, nor with Xabi Alonso, nor with Alvaro Arbeloa. The players continue not to make the effort and not to show solidarity with one another,” he said.

Lama also criticised Real Madrid’s response when Atletico Madrid attempted to build play from the back.

“If Atletico Madrid started passing the ball around, specifically between their two centre-backs and the goalkeeper, Real Madrid would not have moved forward to press them,” he said.

“Real Madrid waited and did not even want to advance to confront them.”

Guler singled out

Journalist Paco Gonzalez argued that the squad lacks the players required to play in the desired way, with the exception of Arda Guler.

“The current Real Madrid do not have the players needed to play, apart from Guler,” Gonzalez said. “Who can carry out a properly organised team attack for Real Madrid with the current line-up? Tchouameni and Bellingham. As for the rest, everything they offer consists of individual movements.”

Gonzalez said the team’s physical qualities were not in question, but suggested they were not being converted into effective football.

“Real Madrid would receive a rating of 10 physically when you see them. From a physical point of view, they can overcome anyone, but when it comes to playing football, there is only Guler,” he added.

He also identified issues in the team’s ability to begin attacks from defence, mentioning Ibrahima Konate and Denzel Dumfries.

“Konate and Dumfries do not have a good ability to bring the ball out from the back,” Gonzalez said. “It is a huge problem related to the style of play and the players.”