Real Madrid look to have surrendered their lead in La Liga. Nothing is official, Barcelona still need to defeat Rayo Vallecano at Camp Nou on Sunday. Nonetheless, with a win all but guaranteed for the Blaugranas, Los Blancos appear set to drop to second in the standings, behind the Catalan giants.
This is a result of Saturday's 1-0 loss to Athletic Bilbao. The 10-time Champions League winners fell victim to Ernesto Valverde's crew at the San Mamés Stadium, with a 27th minute header from Aritz Aduriz proving decisive for the home side.
Real Madrid incurred a terrible night, and an even far worse performance. The whole team was poor, disappointing the traveling fans. However, one player in particular was singled out from the defeat; Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Portuguese ace failed to impress. He was unable to manage a single shot on target, as of the rest of the team, but shockingly, this was the fourth time in eight games that this has occurred.
0 - Ronaldo did not fire any shot on target in 4 of his last 8 Liga games after doing 1+ in all his previous apps this term. Missing
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) March 7, 2015
This is a sharp contrast to Ronaldo's form in the first half of the Liga BBVA season. Since the turn of 2015, the former Manchester United man has struggled with form, scoring seven goals in 12 matches this year. Not a bad goalscoring stat for many, this is poor by the three-time Ballon d'Or winner's standards.
The 29-year-old had calls for a penalty dismissed after a tackle on the Portuguese ace inside the penalty box left him with a bleeding ankle, but that is merely papers over the cracks, an argument intended to shield him from the criticism.
Ronaldo shows a bloodied ankle from previous play. #beINLaLiga http://t.co/5j4Gs27rx5
— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) March 7, 2015
Ronaldo trolled on Twitter
Some say Ronaldo is still on the pitch waiting for a penalty...
— Troll Football (@Troll__Football) March 7, 2015
One player scores free kicks, the other is Cristiano Ronaldo pic.twitter.com/olIeHctq9G
— Nabil Kenan (@NabilKenan_FCB) March 7, 2015
After the final whistle, manager Carlo Ancelotti shouldered complete blame for the loss, but did point out issues in his side's Cristiano Ronaldo-led attack as a key issue.
"The team has a problem in that we need to have a clearer idea of what we're doing in attack," Ancelotti admitted after the loss.
"We don't circulate the ball fast enough and the strikers are not getting any chances.
"It's weird to say that Real Madrid have troubles in attack because we have scored many goals but it's true.
"My team is playing poorly and I have to take all the responsibility.”
The Italian manager was spot on with his post-match comments. With Cristiano underperforming, Los Blancos have been unable to dispatch their opponents with ease. Until the Real Madrid number 7 regains his form, expect the Spanish giants' misfortunes to continue.
