Alvaro Morata had to leave Chelsea — he really had no choice after his form and confidence seemingly dissipated after a slew of shocking missed opportunities. So he returned to Madrid, where he started his professional career back nearly 10 years ago. Except, he joined Atletico, not Real.
Chivas Guadalajara blew an early lead by allowing three straight goals in a loss to Kashima Antlers in the FIFA Club World Cup quarterfinals. Then the Japanese club ran into Real Madrid. Namely, it ran into Gareth Bale.
Gareth Bale could not have struck it more sweetly.
It was dipping, it was swerving and it was rocketing into the upper 90. It seemed like a certain late equalizer.
Then, out of nowhere, came this Kasper Schmeichel save vs Bale.
Barcelona vs. Real Madrid | Camp Nou
Sunday, October 28, 2018 | 11:15 a.m. ET
TV: beIN SPORTS USA or beIN SPORTS en Español
Stream: Fubo TV, Sling TV or beIN SPORTS CONNECT U.S.A
Marco Asensio scored in the 41st minute of a 1-0 win over Espanyol on Sept. 22.
Los Blancos haven’t scored in four matches since.
In a stunning turn of events for a club that’s won four of the last five Champions League trophies, the Real Madrid goalless streak has reached a remarkable 409 minutes — nearly seven full hours.
I think it’s safe to say Julen Lopetegui’s club has reached a crisis of Jose-Mourinho-at-Manchester-United proportions, except Mourinho was actually able to get a win on Saturday.
When Atletico and Real Madrid last met, Atletico scored a wild 4-2 win in extra time in the UEFA Super Cup in August in Tallinn, Estonia. On Saturday at the Bernabeu, no one won the Madrid Derby — except maybe Barcelona.
In a fairly tame Madrid Derby, neither side could find a way to score in a 0-0 draw. Atletico will take the road point (it hasn't lost in the Bernabeu in six years), but Real will rue the chance to go atop the LaLiga table.
Wednesday featured the first Champions League matches for both Cristiano Ronaldo and Real Madrid since the two parted ways over the summer. Ronaldo, now with Juventus, was sent off after 29 minutes. Real Madrid, with a Welsh winger leading the line, scored a 3-0 win thanks to a brilliant Gareth Bale goal vs Roma.