Real Madrid form wasn’t even good enough for a Europa League spot under Zinedine Zidane as worrying statistic highlights size of task ahead
- Zinedine Zidane has endured a difficult time since returning to Real Madrid
- His side have picked up just 17 points from his 11 games in charge in La Liga
- That form would’ve seen them miss out on Europe over the course of a season
Real Madrid’s form under Zinedine Zidane would have seen them miss out on European qualification entirely over the course of a year.
The staggering statistic was pressed home on the front of AS on Tuesday morning as they sought to point out just how tough a job the Frenchman has of turning the club’s fortunes around.
Leaving last summer after lifting the Champions League for the third season in a row, Zidane returned to the Bernabeu hotseat after both Julen Lopetegui and Santiago Solari struggled at the helm.
Zinedine Zidane has seen his Real Madrid team struggle badly since his retun to the Bernabeu
The front page of AS on Monday morning highlighted how poor Real Madrid’s form has been
However, to compound a turbulent season, the former World Cup winner has faired no better than his two predecessors, and a table – carried on the front page of the sports publication – stressed just how dire the situation is.
Compared with the rest of La Liga, Real Madrid sit in eighth position in the form table since Zidane returned as head coach – outside even the Europa League places.
The likes of Villarreal – who spent the season battling relegation – and Athletic Bilbao have all claimed more than Real’s 17 points since the 46-year-old’s return.
Rivals Barcelona have collected seven more points than Real in those 11 games, too.
Zidane is intent on overhauling his squad this summer in a bid to get them challenging again next term, and he looks set to force a number of stars out, including Gareth Bale.
In a bid to change his team’s fortunes, Zidane will look to overhaul the squad this summer
The Welshman was left on the bench during Real’s final game of the season – a 2-0 defeat at home by Real Betis – and the former Tottenham star faces the possibility of being frozen out entirely should he fail to move on this summer.
Speaking after the loss to Betis, Zidane said: ‘I have to look at the day to day, and make decisions,’ Zidane said. ‘When there is something I do not like, or does not fit for me, I must do what I think best.
‘It might be difficult for the player – we cannot forget all he has done here – but I must live in the present, think of the future. We will see [if Bale stays]. I don’t know what will happen, truthfully.’
