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What?s Plan B" How likely is Plan A" These observations ? where I look at Real Madrid?s history, its players on loan, Castilla, tactical tidbits, and other relevant thoughts ? are now a regular thing. All previous editions can be found here.

After Real Madrid lost to Barcelona in a pre-season Clasico friendly in Dallas on Saturday night, there were a wide-range of perspectives from Madridistas. From the despair of losing to Xavi again; to the tranquility that Carlo Ancelotti himself exuded post-game, this 3 - 0 loss was interpreted in different ways.
On one hand, Real Madrid out-shot Barcelona 29 to 12 and had an xG of 3 compared to Barcelona?s 1.9. Ancelotti?s men hit the woodwork five times. On another day, things outside of Ancelotti?s control ? like the ball going one centimetre the right way, or Ter Stegen being mortal ? would?ve resulted in a win and a different game state. On the other hand, all those numbers can be spun to tell a different story. Real Madrid had 29 shots and an xG of 3 and still couldn?t score. Does that mean they have great creators but lack a goalscorer" The sample size is just one game ? an an exhibition one at that ? but given that there is only one striker ? Joselu ? in the team, it?s reasonable to assume that Real Madrid?s problem next season will be just that: Great in the build-up phase but no assassin up front to lethally and mercilessly puncture goals into the heart...