Real Madrid lifted the Spanish league title last season, although they faced a tragic last-16 exit in the UEFA Champions League. It was the second consecutive season where Los Blancos had to face the same kind of situation. And now, former Real Madrid winger Steve McManaman believes that the club needs some major changes in the playing XI to compete against top-flight clubs like Bayern Munich and Liverpool.
The situation for Real Madrid this season is not very good as they are now standing in fourth place in La Liga. However, they are on the verge of advancing to the knockout stage of the UEFA Champions League. But, they achieved just a single win in their last four games. Los Blancos also suffered a tragic loss against fellow Spanish side Alaves this weekend.
Former football winger Steve McManaman believes Real Madrid needs some major changes in the squad
📸⚽💫 ¡Últimos preparativos antes de que vuelva a rodar el balón de la @LigadeCampeones!
⏳🆚 @FCShakhtar#RMUCL | #HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/JdsdoZRWE5— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) November 30, 2020
While talking about Real Madrid, Steve McManaman said, “They are struggling. They’ve struggled in the Champions League and La Liga. The performance against Shakhtar [Donetsk, in the Champions League] was appalling.” He added, “They lost to Alaves at home and it is good the fans aren’t there. If they were there then they would be getting all kinds of abuse and the white handkerchiefs would be out.”
The former winger said, “The pandemic affected them badly like all Spanish teams without the same broadcast deal we have in England so the finances are not as good as they would like to be to bring players in.” He further added, “They have an aging squad, [Eden] Hazard can’t get fit and when he does he gets injured. They are in a predicament with these old players and they are struggling.”
Real Madrid | UEFA Champions League Football
Steve McManaman said, “I wouldn’t back Real Madrid to win it (Champions League) when I look at them. Anything can happen in January but in their current form, against Gladbach and Shakhtar, they are nowhere near the English teams and Bayern Munich.” He again added, “If they want to be successful, where they once were, they need to do something in the transfer market.”
While talking about the squad, he said, “[Luka] Modric is 35, Sergio Ramos is 34 nearly 35, [Karim] Benzema and Toni Kroos are getting to the age where they will not improve and if anything will get worse.” He added, “They are all incredible footballers who made history at Real Madrid but your body tells you when you can’t get to the same heights. If they want to get to the same heights they were at they need new players.”