Real Madrid<\/a>\u2019s six-point deficit to Barcelona is hardly insurmountable in September, but history shows just how difficult their task could become if Jose Mourinho\u2019s side allow the gap to grow.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Madrid have only once managed to overturn a six-point deficit when Barcelona were leading La Liga<\/a><\/em>, doing so during the remarkable 2006-07 title race under Fabio Capello.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The 2006-07 comeback was one of Madrid\u2019s greatest demonstrations of resilience.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Capello\u2019s side spent much of the campaign chasing Barcelona, but eventually dragged themselves back into contention during an extraordinary finish.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Madrid won nine of their final 10 league matches and finished level with Bar\u00e7a<\/em> on 76 points.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The title went to Madrid because of their superior head-to-head record, completing a comeback that had looked extremely unlikely earlier in the campaign.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Fabio Capello\u2019s side enjoyed a comeback of dreams in 2006\/07. (Photo credit should read JAVIER SORIANO\/AFP via Getty Images)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Nearly two decades later, Mourinho\u2019s team already find themselves facing the same six-point gap after only seven league matches.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The 2-1 defeat at Atletico Madrid was Madrid\u2019s second La Liga<\/em> loss of the season after their earlier setback against Real Betis. Barcelona, meanwhile, have started perfectly.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n There is obviously an enormous amount of football remaining. Two matches can account for six points, and there are both El Clasicos<\/em> still to be played.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The current table is far from decisive, but the more concerning issue for Los Blancos<\/em> is how the points have been dropped.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Madrid have struggled for control in midfield, while the Tchouameni-Valverde partnership offers enormous physical strength without always providing the creativity needed to dictate difficult matches.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n It is no coincidence that Madrid\u2019s best spell of the derby came after Bernardo Silva was brought on, despite them being down a man.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Jose Mourinho has a number of problems to address after the international break. (Photo by Denis Doyle\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Their defence has also been breached in every league game except the victory over Malaga, which is not typical of a Mourinho team.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Then there are individual issues. Vinicius Junior has only one goal in 625 minutes, with Yan Diomande increasing the competition on the left.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Kylian Mbappe was largely contained against Atletico, while Mourinho is still searching for the right balance<\/a> between his attacking stars.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Madrid can also point towards controversial refereeing decisions, particularly from the derby, but those arguments cannot become a substitute for fixing their own problems.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n September is too early to panic, even if history suggests that Mourinho has a Herculean task on his hands.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n It remains to be seen whether Los Blancos<\/em> fix up after the break, start putting in more consistent performances and avoid letting the gap with Bar\u00e7a<\/em> widen.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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\nThe famous 2006-07 comeback<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
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<\/picture><\/div>\nSix points is recoverable but the problems matter<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
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