Why Real Madrid's slow start is nothing to worry about

Zinedine Zidane knows full well that a few bad results could cost him his job.

But this isn't the time to panic.

The statistics read like an obituary. With just two wins from five La Liga matches - and none at home - Real Madrid slipped seven points behind leader Barcelona. Wednesday's 1-0 defeat to Real Betis ended Madrid's 73-match scoring streak. Twenty-seven shots begot a grand total of zero goals for the Santiago Bernabeu outfit.

Visiting goalkeeper Antonio Adan was a big factor. As manager Quique Setien told the Guardian's Sid Lowe, "To win here you know you'll suffer and you know your goalkeeper has to be spectacular."

Both things happened, and sometimes that's football. But to say Madrid's suddenly lost its grip on Spain and Europe is premature.

Despite its slow start, Madrid hasn't played poorly in any of its matches or lost the winning spirit that led it to consecutive Champions League titles. The difference is simply a matter of finishing.

In the three home matches it's failed to win, Madrid fired an average of 22 shots at goal. Possession in the draws with Levante and Valencia varied between 65 and 68 percent. Against Betis alone, Cristiano Ronaldo pinged 12 attempts.

All for naught.

Madrid's approach has been aggressive. What's been missing is the execution. With a squad as talented as the European champion's, it's only a matter of time before the juggernaut breaks through.

If there's a critique to make, it's that Madrid has long played with fire. Last season, Madrid stole points from matches it didn't deserve to win: remember Sergio Ramos' late header against Deportivo, that dramatic 3-3 comeback effort versus Las Palmas, and Marcelo's 86th-minute curler to condemn Valencia.

These were the acts of an escape artist. Madrid's midfield superiority and devastating counter-attack took the headlines, but this team relied heavily on last-minute heroics to claim the domestic double.

Early in the 2017-18 season, Madrid has struggled to find the same magic.

At one point of the Betis clash, Ronaldo skied a clear goal-scoring opportunity from a few measly yards away. It was an uncharacteristic miscue by a player who'd just returned from a five-match ban.

If Madrid had been thoroughly outplayed in any of these matches, there would be genuine cause for concern. There have been a few bad experiments - Casemiro at centre-back was risky - but nothing to suggest systemic problems.

The only time Madrid looked vulnerable was at the very end of Wednesday's shocker, when it conceded the winner to an unmarked Antonio Sanabria. Legs tired and minds shut off, Zidane's men allowed Betis to probe for an opening. One arrived in the final seconds. It was one of the few instances in which Madrid seemed frozen by its opponent's movement.

Although the seven-point gap from Barcelona is daunting, Madrid has time to make amends. Ronaldo can now focus on his football after crying injustice over his lengthy ban, and Karim Benzema can kick on knowing he's secured his long-term future at the club. Zidane can still call upon Marco Asensio, one of the hottest prospects in world football, and Isco remains a huge free-roaming threat.

If the same downward trend continues in October, then Madrid may have a legitimate crisis on its hands.

At the moment, it's nothing more than a blip.

(Photos courtesy: Action Images)