Three talking points ahead of Real Madrid vs Rayo Vallecano | La Liga MD 22 | OneFootball

Real Madrid and Rayo Vallecano faced off earlier this season early November, and it was on that night that they began their collapse in the league standings.

The draw at Vallecas was immediately after Los Blancos suffered the defeat against Liverpool, and only potentiated the downward spiral. In the six games that followed, Real Madrid lost two, drew two, and won only two games.

On the night in fact, Rayo Vallecano created the better chances and racked up an xG of 1.20 compared to Xabi Alonso’s team who had 0.98. They even had more big chances and 46% of the possession.

Tomorrow afternoon, the two teams face off once more, and it so happens that Real Madrid again enter the game off a heavy UEFA Champions League defeat, this time against SL Benfica.

At this point, Alvaro Arbeloa and Co. simply cannot afford for history to repeat itself.

Madrid Universal brings you three talking points ahead of Real Madrid vs Rayo Vallecano.

Entering a critical month

Having been knocked out of the Copa del Rey, Real Madrid were expected to have a relatively less hectic February, especially given that their place in the top-8 of the UEFA Champions League appeared fixed.

The fiasco of Matchday 8, however, saw them lose out on the top-eight finish and they must now play two additional games in the competition – something that once again cramps up their schedule.

The month ahead will be a critical one for Real Madrid, especially given the relatively recent managerial change, the struggle to find an identity, and the fact that their future in the UCL rides on two games against an opponent they lost to midweek.

Kicking off the new month with a win, therefore, is of paramount importance as the team simply cannot afford to go on a negative spiral once more and end up losing two games in a row.

Rayo Vallecano will back themselves to take all three points against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu tomorrow, especially given how they took two points off them already earlier this season.

Los Blancos, thus, must remain alert to not slack off, for a lot is on the line this month. Losing momentum is not an option.

The right-wing question

Who start on the right flank? (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

Real Madrid may not have clicked as a unit so far this campaign, but there is no denying that the team has individuals with great talent who have stepped up and claimed ownership of places in the starting lineup.

One position where there is no clear favourite yet, and naturally a lot of competition, is the right wing.

Franco Mastantuono and Brahim Diaz began the season as the two players competing for a place in the lineup in that department, and while the former has been the manager’s relatively more preferred option, he has not done enough to stamp his authority.

The game against Benfica, in fact, was one of his worst performances in a Real Madrid shirt and raises questions about whether he will start once more come Sunday.

Brahim, the other major option, is a strong candidate to start except for how recent weeks have been hard on him and the fact that serious questions can be raised over whether he is mentally prepared to start again.

Rodrygo, thus, pops up as another candidate the manager can count on. The Brazilian, however, was injured recently and only made his comeback to the field against Benfica where he was sent off as well.

Federico Valverde and Gonzalo Garcia are also options for Arbeloa to consider, but to deploy one of the second-string winger duo ahead of the three aforementioned available stars will also not be easy given the club’s hierarchical nature.

A big decision and dilemma awaits Arbeloa as he prepares a lineup for a game where the team must look for redemption.

A need for leadership

Of all of Real Madrid’s lacunae, deficiencies, and struggles this year, the lack of an on-field leader whom the team listens to has been the single-biggest one.

Letting go of Luka Modric saw the dressing room lose its only remaining leader who could resonate with the squad, keep them grounded, and ensure that they operate as a team.

Now, there is a conspicuous lack of such a presence both on and off the field and there is an urgent need for one of the team’s mainstays to step up on that front.

Be it with the interference of the management or not, one of Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Jr, Federico Valverde, or another dressing room heavyweight must take charge and drive the team on the field.

Pressing as a unit, building up play cohesively, and playing for the collective over individual numbers, after all, are what make a team compete on all fronts and it is seemingly impossible for Real Madrid to get on to that track without the said leadership.

Los Blancos are now at that stage of the season where any change must come now or it will be too late, and it is high time the squad wakes up and smells the coffee.