BARCELONA // Real Madrid’s attacking trident has much potential but under-fire coach Rafa Benitez must harness it more effectively with his team hosting Rayo Vallecano on Sunday having slipped five points off the pace in the Primera Liga.
Defeat last weekend by Villarreal cranked up the pressure on Benitez and, apart from a fortunate victory over Paris Saint-Germain in the Uefa Champions League, they have been unable to come out on top against any of the leading sides.
Madrid failed to take advantage of a surprise draw by table-topping Barcelona against Deportivo La Coruna and, with Gareth Bale returning alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema (the trio known as the BBC), they notched up their fifth game this season without scoring.
Read more: Primera Liga in focus: Astute Villarreal can scare likes of Barca and Madrid
They could have put pressure on Barca, who do not play this weekend because they are at the Club World Cup in Japan, but instead it is Atletico Madrid who are pushing the Catalans, trailing on goal difference with 35 points. Madrid have 30 points.
Spaniard Benitez has had to live with constant comparisons with his predecessor Carlo Ancelotti, who was popular with fans and the players. The Italian’s side only failed to score five times in the whole of last season.
Madrid had managed an 8-0 thrashing of a weak Malmo team in the Champions League playing a 4-4-2 formation but changed to a three-man attack against Villarreal and, even with Bale, they lacked a cutting edge.
Madrid have been less effective this season playing with Ronaldo, Bale and Benzema as the team recover fewer balls and make 15 fewer passes per game on average, according to Spanish newspaper AS.
Goalkeeper Keylor Navas, though, has backed them to iron out the problems.
“We have a system and quality. We need to be consistent and battle as a team,” he told reporters. “The lack of intensity is the fault of all of us and not anyone in particular and all together we will find the solution.”
Atletico Madrid, who can take provisional top spot with at least a point at lowly Malaga, are in a rich vein of form having won their last eight games in all competitions.
“The team is growing and it is good to have the respect of rivals and public opinion which makes us happy,” Atletico coach Diego Simeone told a news conference.
Read more: Greg Lea why Diego Simeone would be the perfect replacement for Jose Mourinho at Chelsea
Read more: Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi set for Dubai visit to attend Globe Soccer Awards
“When people talk well of your work it is good to help you keep improving. When you get too much praise then you can start to think that it all happens naturally but it isn’t like that.”
Primera Liga kick-off times in the UAE (Matches on BeIN Sports)
Saturday
Valencia V Getafe, 7pm
Espanyol V Las Palmas, 9.15pm
Real Betis V Sevilla 11.30pm
Deportivo de La Coruña V Eibar, 1.05am
Sunday
Real Madrid V Rayo Vallecano, 7pm
Athletic Bilbao V Levante, 9.15pm
Granada V Celta Vigo, 9.15pm
Real Sociedad V Villarreal, 9.15pm
Malaga V Atletico Madrid, 11.30pm
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About Takalam
Date started: early 2020
Founders: Khawla Hammad and Inas Abu Shashieh
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: HealthTech and wellness
Number of staff: 4
Funding to date: Bootstrapped
Four-day collections of TOH
Day Indian Rs (Dh)
Thursday 500.75 million (25.23m)
Friday 280.25m (14.12m)
Saturday 220.75m (11.21m)
Sunday 170.25m (8.58m)
Total 1.19bn (59.15m)
(Figures in millions, approximate)
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
Greatest of All Time
Starring: Vijay, Sneha, Prashanth, Prabhu Deva, Mohan
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The stats
Ship name: MSC Bellissima
Ship class: Meraviglia Class
Delivery date: February 27, 2019
Gross tonnage: 171,598 GT
Passenger capacity: 5,686
Crew members: 1,536
Number of cabins: 2,217
Length: 315.3 metres
Maximum speed: 22.7 knots (42kph)
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Under 19 World Cup
Group A: India, Japan, New Zealand, Sri Lanka
Group B: Australia, England, Nigeria, West Indies
Group C: Bangladesh, Pakistan, Scotland, Zimbabwe
Group D: Afghanistan, Canada, South Africa, UAE
UAE fixtures
Saturday, January 18, v Canada
Wednesday, January 22, v Afghanistan
Saturday, January 25, v South Africa
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The specs
Engine: 2-litre or 3-litre 4Motion all-wheel-drive Power: 250Nm (2-litre); 340 (3-litre) Torque: 450Nm Transmission: 8-speed automatic Starting price: From Dh212,000 On sale: Now
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
SPECS
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The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cylinder petrol
Power: 154bhp
Torque: 250Nm
Transmission: 7-speed automatic with 8-speed sports option
Price: From Dh79,600
On sale: Now