Racing 1 - Gotham 2 Post Match Thoughts

Courtesy USA Today Sports Images

I don’t feel like there are many new insights to glean from last night's performance, so I will be brief. It was once again a case of committing unforced errors. We could debate continually about why the team isn't preforming well enough to win, but the simple explanation is that this team concedes too many goals. I don't think in Racing’s brief history that they have ever rolled out a back line that made me feel like they were difficult to score on. In my experience, the best pressing teams in the world (which heavily overlaps with the best teams in the world period) succeed by keeping the ball as far away from their defenders as humanly possible, but when their back lines are called upon, they are ready to step up. Racing’s team defending has let them down enough not to blame all off Racing’s recent issues on the back line, but tonight the nominal defenders were guilty on both goals. I said earlier this week and stand by my assertion, that there simply isn’t enough defensive talent on this team and that it will likely take on offseason to address. Players and coaches and employees of the club aren't allowed to give up on a season this early, but I would suggest that fans manage their expectations. Without a significant change in either talent or tactics, I see no clear way to the top of half of the table. That really is a shame based on the attacking talent that will be available once Nadim returns and Kgatlana joins, but I am afraid the hole the team is currently digging may be too large to climb out of.