Wednesday 27 January 2016 16:15, UK
Cristiano Ronaldo has failed to live up to his own high standards at times this season and his frustration is starting to show.
The Portuguese forward has scored 16 goals in 21 league games so far in 2015/16 but has struggled to consistently reach the heights of previous campaigns, Real Madrid's game at Real Betis was the 12th La Liga match in which he has failed to find the net.
His frustration appeared to boil over in the draw at Betis, with replays showing Ronaldo seemingly kicking out at Francisco Molinero and it is not the first time such an incident has occurred, according to Sky Sports Spanish football expert Guillem Balague.
"He has done it at least three times this season and it is a sign of frustration. He knows he can do better," said Balague. "His mind has been dispersed, he has been on trips to Morocco which the club have asked him to cut short because they want him to focus."
The drop off may look to have been slight but Real Madrid have, of course, felt the impact of their star player's dip in form.
"Ronaldo has such a high standard that when he has his lowest ratio of shots to goals of his career at Real Madrid we are surprised," added Balague. "If he had been as effective as he used to be, Real Madrid would have more points.
"He has been scoring but he hasn't spread his goals, which is disappointing for Real Madrid because they need his goals. Against Betis, they needed a Ronaldo goal to win the game."
With Los Blancos still in the race for the La Liga title and among the favourites to win the Champions League, Ronaldo will have plenty of opportunities to put things right. Zinedine Zidane will be hoping the former Manchester United man can do so quickly and that his angry outbursts can be kept to a minimum.
Watch the video above at the top of the page to see highlights from Ronaldo's season of frustration.
