Madrid.. A step downwards???

Sacking Ancelotti was always going to be a difficult step especially after he won you your biggest dream La Decima. But Madrid are a club with high expectations and a trophy less season is intolerable hence Madrid sacked Ancelotti.

In stepped Benitez, it was always going to be tough for him to fill Ancelotti's shoes. He had to face severe criticism just right after his appointment. Fans thought it was a step downward given the big profile of his predecessor.

Madrid is the only unbeaten side in Europe this season and the only side not to concede a goal in champions league. That talks a lot about the impact of Benitez on Madrid. Stability in defense has always been a problem for Madrid in past six to seven years. But he brought that.

Given all that! has Benitez really upgraded Madrid by changing their mentality or Madrid really did grow as a team and are better than last season.

Yes they might have been resilient on defense and they play in a much more composed manner but the attacking flair that Madrid always possess has disappeared somewhere. Ronaldo under Benitez looks a completely different player. He might be scoring goals but he has lost his spark.

They have drawn all the big games rather than trying and going to win and get the maximum out of the game. Even their latest game against PSG they got a lucky goal. Otherwise the football Madrid played was very unconvincing. PSG struck the woodwork four times during the game. Di Maria was all over the park and literally tearing apart Madrid team in every way he could.

Yes key players have been lost by Madrid but still the depth in the squad they have. They must not be facing issues with attacking aspect of the game specially. Madrid are no more playing like Madrid. They are not threatening enough, not ruthless enough. Madrid don't look hungry to attack the same way they looked in past 2-3 seasons.

They are playing with a much conservative mind and narrow minded tactics that is to contain the game. They don't take the game to their opposition and try and bury the game and that is the biggest thing that a team like Madrid doesn't possess which they actually should.

All in all i would say that Madrid have taken a step downwards. Under Benitez they might be composed they might be consistent and they might not concede any goal but they have lost their X factor or fear factor. They are losing it and they must gain it back. 

Soccer is like a Religion in Spain, many Madrid fans might not accept the reality but it seems like they're short of options at the moment.