A 94th minute winning goal by Antonio Sanabria compounded Real Madrid’s miserable start to the La Liga season on Wednesday night, as Los Blancos slipped seven points adrift of Barcelona at the top of the table.
It was a defeat that could have been prevented given Zinedine Zidane’s men created a bucket a load of chances in the match, but at the end of the day, Real’s record of scoring in 73 consecutive matches went up in smoke.
The loss meant Real have failed to win any of their opening three league contests at the Bernabeu for the first time since 1995.
While it is still early days in the season for the, let’s not forget, reigning La Liga holders and back-to-back Champions League winners – questions are still being asked.
Here, we look at three stars who are already under pressure following below-par performances this term.
MARCELO
The experienced vice-captain, like his club, has endured a tough start to the campaign. Following his red card against Levante for kicking out at defender Jefferson Lerma earlier this month in Real’s last home league outing, the usually brilliant Brazilian sustained a muscle injury against Betis.
It meant the full-back departed after 72 minutes and it looks more than likely he will miss the trip to Alaves this Saturday as well as Tuesday’s huge Champions League clash against Borussia Dortmund.
While disciplinary issues and injury have interrupted the flow to Marcelo’s season so far, he hasn’t looked as effective going forward from left-back – registering only one assist, one fruitful attacking dribble and no real key contributions in the final third, of which we have become accustomed to.
This form has led to some boo-boys from the Los Blancos faithful, especially given the fact he recently penned a new contract extension until 2022.
He has generally struggled to reach the level he enjoyed last term – but given his seniority in the side, proven track record and the fact Zidane hasn’t got many other options in that area of the pitch (Theo Hernandez is currently on the injury table), Real will be hoping he will recover quickly.
Betis hit a last-minute winner against Real on Wednesday night.
KARIM BENZEMA
While injury meant he missed the ugly defeat to Betis – the jury is still out on the Frenchman, but it seems like it has forever been that way.
The 29-year-old, who has 181 goals to his name in a Los Blancos jersey, earlier this week signalled his intention to see out his career at the Bernabeu by penning a lucrative contract extension until 2021 – which is inclusive of a €1 billion release clause.
While Madrid are committed to the striker who is currently nursing a hamstring injury, pundits and fans alike have picked apart Benzema’s productivity in the box which has seen him score just once this term.
That goal came against Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup but he has failed to register a shot on goal in three La Liga outings (208 minutes of football).
When Real have needed him in the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo, he has simply failed to fill that void despite looking more productive outside of the penalty area.
Benzema discussed his new deal at a press conference on Thursday.
CASEMIRO
The combative Real star has been a regular fixture this term and has operated in several positions including centre-back, defensive midfield and as an out-and-out central player.
It is testament to the Brazilian that he can switch roles but it has meant we have not seen the same kind of form from the 25-year-old that he enjoyed in the previous season.
Casemiro called for calm following the Betis shocker – and perhaps he is right – himself, under performing team-mates and Real need more time to get things together again.
Casemiro struggled to win the midfield battle against Betis.