The NFL takes its toll on Real Madrid

On November 1, Real Madrid won convincingly against Valencia at Chamartin. A 4-0 win that ratified their position as leaders in LaLiga and the five-point advantage acquired over Barcelona after winning the Clasico. It was their farewell to the Bernabeu until now.The arrival of the NFL to the Spanish capital forced the stadium to be made available for the American show, something that was known in advance and has kept Xabi Alonso's team away from their stadium and their fans until next weekend when they host Celta.

That condition marked the calendars, which were drawn up with six consecutive away games for Madrid: four in LaLiga and two in the Champions League. With the match at San Mames still to come, what is certain is that the white team has paid dearly for the exile. Of the five points they had over Barcelona, there is no trace. In fact, Hansi Flick's team now has one point more than Madrid. And the points gap they had over Atletico Madrid (eight) and Villarreal (seven) has been reduced to two and one, respectively.

The balance is limited to three draws

In Real Madrid's three league outings, the balance is limited to three draws. They drew in three fields in which the accounts at the beginning of the season could contain doubts in Vallecas, but not in Elche and Girona. In these three matches, Xabi Alonso's team has not been able to take the lead on the scoreboard

After starting the championship with a firm step away from home, there are now four games away from the Bernabeu without victories. This streak is added to the defeat at the Metropolitano at the end of September. Of the last five La Liga matches away from home, after starting with victories in Oviedo, San Sebastian and at Levante, the only victory is the hard-fought 1-0 win at Getafe

In the Champions League, Madrid escaped from Athens with a victory as important and soothing as it was full of questions about what was seen in the second half. At halftime, with the score at 1-2, Xabi's message was: "We have to kill them," but it was as if the Olympiacos players were the recipients of that harangue.

It was at Anfield on November 4 where the long excursion away from the Bernabeu began. And it was in Liverpool where Madrid showed that downtrodden look that they have not been able to shake off since

San Mames will bring to an end that painful journey that has taken Madrid since they last played in Chamartin. "It's a good opportunity to win away from home again," Xabi Alonso said in the press room at Montilivi. There was no need for him to express how much he is looking forward to being able to play at the Santiago Bernabeu again.