In his first true coaching gig, Real Madrid legend Raúl González Blanco has struggled to get the Castilla team going. Raul’s side has managed just two wins through seven matches which is causing concern among the fans.
With Takefusa Kubo off on loan with RCD Mallorca and Rodrygo Goes now a regular with Zinedine Zidane’s first team, the Real Madrid Castilla team is struggling to find true goalscorers and playmakers who can decide a match.
After a 1-1 draw on Sunday with bottom of the Spanish Segunda B Grupo I table San Sebastian de los Reyes, Raul finds his team in seventh place, eight points from the top and five points out of a promotion playoff spot.
The results have been average at best. Two wins, four draws, and one defeat might not look terrible on paper, but having watched a few of the Castilla matches, one thing is abundantly clear: the offense is poor.
Real Madrid’s Castilla team has tallied just eight goals thus far with three coming in the win over Rayo Majadahonda where Rodrygo played a huge role. Otherwise, goals have been few and far between.
The biggest problem here is the lack of a leading forward who can score with regularity. Thus far, Castilla players have scored seven goals – one on own goal – from seven different players.
You’re reading that correctly, Real Madrid Castilla does not have a member on the team who has tallied more than once. The best, most immediate answers for Raul right now are:
1. Use Rodrygo whenever he is not chosen for the first team.
2. Play Pablo Rodriguez as the starting striker.
Pablo has earned a lot of praise from Real Madrid fans for his recent promotion from the U-19 to Castilla and it was the youngster from Las Palmas who scored the tying-goal in stoppage time to earn his team a consolation point over the weekend.
This is not the time to panic or criticize Raul just yet. As a new manager, there is still a serious learning cure to deal with. It it much tougher managing the youth team and not a true senior squad as he has to comply with what his indirect boss, Zidane, and the board decide to do with his players.
I’m sure if it was up to him, Rodrygo would be starting every single match. I believe the young talent under Raul’s leadership will prevail. 30 matches remain giving the tam plenty of time to turn it around.