The weekly summary

The international break was not kind to Real Madrid, with the loss of two of their players in the same match. Both Modric and Bale falling to injury within minutes apart as Croatia and Wales were facing each other in the Eurocup qualifiers.

The bad news kept on coming, and the weekend saw Zidane’s side suffer the first league loss of the season against Mallorca in a match to forget. Real Madrid came out unprepared and with a lack of intensity that lately and sadly has become too common.

Mallorca took advantage of the defensive passivity to get an early goal with a quick counter that would eventually decide the match. Real Madrid had no clear ideas on how to get back in the match, and were not able to cause any real danger. The referees on the pitch and VAR did not help as three clear penalties against the “whites” were completely ignored. Penalties that in spite of the bad performance, could have changed the outcome of the game.

Madrid did not have time to wallow in their loss, as Tuesday evening came with a vital match to remain in the Champions League. After losing against PSG and getting an agonizing draw at home against Brugge, this trip to Turkey to face Galatasaray was a must win for any hopes of making it to the next round.

Zidane made some changes to the lineup as usual, giving Fede Valverde and Rodrygo a spot in the starting XI, neither of them disappointing and being key to the victory. Specially Fede who with his last performances has become one of the midfielders in best form at the moment.

It was a completely different story compared to what happened over the weekend. A Madrid taking charge from the start, creating many scoring chances and taking the lead thanks to a great combination play between Benzema and Hazard that Kroos would put in the back of the net. Still with the dominance Madrid was having offensively, the mistakes on defense were also present as it has become the norm but a great Courtois was able to prevent Galatasaray from getting a goal. Three vital points that keep the chances alive to continue in the European competition.

With the change of dates for the Clásico, Madrid have now a week to rest and recover until next Wednesday when Leganés visits the Bernabéu in another La Liga match. Hopefully Zidane will have some of the injured players back.