The international break has come at a good time for Real Madrid. The bell has sounded just before going to the canvas. It is clear that the team is on the ropes, but they have time to analyze the reasons for this downturn. Losing at Anfield was something that was logical, although not so much the image they left in the second half, but Liverpool's problems, overwhelmed this past Sunday by City, have also been evident at Vallecas, where they did not get beyond a draw and, worse still, did not have many chances to beat Rayo Vallecano. The most positive thing is that Madrid are still leaders and have only suffered one defeat against Atletico and this last draw so far in the championship. However, the feeling is that they have entered a crisis of play and results and Xabi Alonso has to find the formula to get back on track. Without playing brilliant football except at specific moments against Barca or Valencia, the results have not gone their way this time. Kylian Mbappe makes a circus shot next to Vinícius Júnior The trident is stopped Ancelotti was clear at the time that Benzema was non-transferable if Madrid wanted to play with the BBC. Karim adopted this escort role that Xabi does not find in his trident. The Basque coach was clear that he had to play for Kylian, but it is not so clear that Bellingham and Vinicius think the same. In the first half against Rayo he touched the ball only eleven times. The Frenchman's best partner is Guler, who has dropped back and plays further from the area than the Englishman and the Brazilian. The coach, after exploring other options, has opted to settle the Vini case and consolidate a trident that has seized up after leaving more than positive signals against Barca. https://twitter.com/USER_ID/status/1988201287100625069 Looking for Tchouameni's replacement Tchouameni is one of Xabi Alonso's regulars, but he is out for three weeks. Thanks to the international break, he will not miss many games, although he is very unlikely to be back for the return against Elche. In any case, against Rayo it was seen that there is not yet a clear idea. Camavinga started in that position, where he feels more comfortable, but he did not manage to give that balance. Then he moved to the right wing until Rodrygo came on, with another gray game coming off the bench. The right-back position, without an owner Xabi Alonso has tried Camavinga, then Rodrygo, but in the starting eleven against Rayo, the chosen one was Brahim. Valverde was another candidate, but he has lost his influence in the midfield as Xabi opted for the Uruguayan as a right-back. Carvajal's injury and the doubts that Trent continues to offer in this first year at Real Madrid have disrupted the plans of the Basque coach. Doubts return in defense The saga now revolves around Militao. Xabi is taking care of him, he gave him a rest in Vallecas and it showed. Madrid have gained security with his return. But his traveling companion is more open. Rudiger is still out and Rafael Obrador has established himself with the other centre-back alongside the Brazilian, but yesterday he went to the bench at half-time after seeing the yellow card and in Liverpool he did not have his night either. Asencio is starting to show and the German's return is closer. https://twitter.com/USER_ID/status/1988215127892783252 There is no plan B Xabi Alonso started by sharing out minutes, but his starting eleven has become more settled and the second line appears less. In defence, Ferland Mendy is still yet to make his debut, Fran Garcia is not getting a look in ahead of Carreras and at right-back Valverde remains despite Trent Alexander-Arnold being fit again. In midfield there is more movement, but in attack Rodrygo has gone quiet again when he looked to be an alternative to Vinicius. Gonzalo Garcia was a starter against Espanyol but has disappeared since. Endrick has already spent seven games on the bench after overcoming his injury and a loan move is being considered due to the lack of minutes. He made his debut under Xabi Alonso against Valencia and has played just 11 minutes this season.
