Believe me,I am not a fan particularly of los Galacticos, but we don’t get much La Liga information here in the US. Why is Real Madrid, with all that talent, doing so poorly? More specifically, I know theyir defense is suspect, but I would think with the likes of Ronaldo, Raul, Figo, Carlos, Bekham, Owen and Zizou they would be able to score more goals. Yet, I saw how Depor beat them 1-0. How is that possible? I would think this team could score two goals a game in their sleep.
Too many egos, perhaps? Players who don’t think they have anything to prove and can’t work well with other superstars. That would be my first guess (although to my great displeasure, I don’t get to watch much Spanish footy these days).
Whatever it is, long may it continue 
Hasn’t Zidane been out lately …that’s a big reason. Figo is getting on a bit, Beckham’s form has been patchy, I’d say the problem is in midfield. BTW, I think Carlos is the most overrated player in the history of football.
They’re very streaky. They played some great soccer against Roma in the champions league, but they’ve also been very bad. I don’t know what the problem is. Playing Raul all the time even with his scoring slump can’t help.
About Carlos, I’d have to disagree. There probably isn’t a player on the planet who gets up and down the field like he does. He isn’t the greatest defender, but his athleticism allows him to get beat and then immediately recover. Even though his shots are usually into the 30th row, team have to respect the fact that he can score from anywhere within 40 yards, and when he pushes up, which is a lot, the opposing defense can get pulled out of shape. I would say that he is the most overrated free kick taker in the world.
Great analysis, SK, but…
Yes, and that’s the exact reason why he’s so overrated. He’ll score on one once in a blue moon, but it would be far better to chip a ball into the box looking for a header on net. Since I’m not a huge fan of Real Madrid or Brazil, I hope he continues to take them because it’s always interesting.
One problem with Madrid is the constant turnover in coaches (although this is not so uncommon nor is it felt to be so destabilising as it in in England). Underlying the constant chopping and changing (the symptom, if you like) lie more insidious considerations (the cause). The coaches are picked and discarded at the whim of the President and the other power brokers at the club, which is as I understand it bankrolled by the city to be Castilian Spain’s flagship, pride and glory. The players have little respect for the coach (who they know will be booted out soon and who is often rather second-rate anyway - can you imagine Ferguson or even Wenger going there to “coach”?). Even though Wenger has been mooted, why would he leave a team he controls that are moving into a 60,000 stadium?
The players are picked for their marketability as much as for their ability (especially in the case of Beckham), and there are too many flair players and not enough water carriers. What good’s all the skill and trickery if you don’t get enough of the ball. Selling Makalele was more consequential than buying Owen or Beckham.
Then there are the fans. Quiet at the best of times (commentators refer to the Bernabeu as a cathedral not just on account of its architecture), they start waving the white handkerchief as soon as things go against their team.
I can’t see the current crop finishing in the top four this season.
While they might not I will always be able to envision a team with Ronaldo and Zidane finishing in the top four in any league.