A two-tier crisis unfolding at Real Madrid
t has been a month to forget for Real Madrid with a run of poor results and injuries creating what can be described as a two-tier crisis at the club.
Zinedine Zidane could look back to the official squad photo taken back in September and compare it to the number of fit and capable players he has at his disposal now. The difference would be notable.
The Frenchman's desires in the transfer market were followed to the letter by the club with David de Gea not pursued actively, neither was Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang and for the first months of the season this looked to have been a masterstroke.
However with injuries having ripped the squad apart in the early stages of 2017 it looks as if the club could certainly do with a few more players at this point.
Another of the issues that have left the squad in trouble is the form of fringe players such as Fabio Coentrao and James Rodriguez.
Both were retained by the club in the summer in favour of moving them on and looking for replacements yet neither have been capable of contributing on a regular basis this season.
The Colombian's minutes on the pitch have often been fleeting whereas Coentrao's fitness issues have been a mystery to all within the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu with the full-back not having an actual injury of note.
Marco Asensio was forced to play at left-back as a result in the Copa del Rey draw with Celta Vigo which was created a double issue for Zidane.
Asensio is by no means a natural defender and he struggled and furthermore it took away a valuable attacking option away from the coach.
The wings are the main concern at present as it has been for much of the season for the Frenchman and with Marcelo and Dani Carvajal out for at least another month it doesn't look like improving any time soon.
Danilo cost Los Blancos upwards of 30 million euros yet he has struggled to adapt to the culture of the club, he almost seems overawed by the famous white shirt and his performances show just as much.
It comes to something when a coach cannot rely on his backup options and with injuries taking their toll there is a real concern within the club that a poor run of results was the last thing a rather fragile group needed as the business end of the campaign looms around the corner.
There is significant doubt as to whether or not the Brazilian full-back will be given another chance to play against Real Sociedad on Sunday, which again may pose a problem with regards to Asensio unless Zidane opts to move back to a defensive three, something which hasn't worked in 2017.
For Los Blancos, the answer may lie in the academy system with Achraf Hakimi and Alvaro Tejero having both joined first-team training on Wednesday. It possible that their pair will be handed their first LaLiga appearances sooner rather than later.
This is undoubtedly a risk but for a coach who is so familiar with the Castilla setup it may well be a move which guides Real Madrid to calmer seas once key first team players begin to return from injury.
