Real Madrid started their La Liga season on the wrong foot, recording a draw in their first match against Real Sociedad followed by unconvincing double wins against Real Betis and Real Valladolid on Sunday and Wednesday.
Reports from Spain claim that the reigning champions have trouble putting their squad in order with the club manager, Zinedine Zidane, being on the receiving end.
Zidane fielded a record 17 players on the first two matches, which he openly admitted that it was a decision he made after Los Blancos were held onto 1-1 draw against Sociedad on 26th September, a game he believes his team should have won. Even bookmakers like Betway Kenya had slashed odds for the La Liga champions to take all three points.
A Ruthless Manager and an Inconsistent Squad
The veteran Real Madrid legend has opted to change his squad multiple times, indicating his lack of trust in his midfielders, which is understandable with Eden Hazard and Asensio out injured.
The Frenchman lined up a 4-3-3 formation on the first match against Sociedad with Vinicius and Rodrygo playing as wingers while, the usual starters, Jovic and Mayoral sat on the bench.
In the second match, Jovic and Mayoral replaced the two young Brazilians, completely changing Madrid’s approach to the Betis game.
The fate of Los Blancos midfield remains undecided, with the coach stating that anything can happen before the end of the transfer window.
Madrid has had a busy window with more exits (Reguillion, Bale, James, and Ceballos) than new arrivals. At the beginning of the season, Betway and other leading bookmakers had predicted PSG forward Kylian Mbappe would end up in Madrid this season, but the odds for the young forward leaving the French capital have risen over the last week.
However, the club administration admitted that there would be no additions to the squad this summer despite Zidane’s indirect protests.
The move by Zidane to bench Jovic and Mayoral in the opener and even bringing in academy teenagers, Marvin and Arribas, is taken by many as a protest for more signings.
A tactician
From a coaching perspective, the choices have been hugely different. Pundits believe that the massive rotations are only a small part of Zidane’s mega plan. It is also believed that the gaffer is hoping to minimize injuries with two key players already out due to injuries.
Vinicius and Rodrygo made their return to the XI in Wednesday’s lowly 1-0 win over Valladolid, where Vinicius netted his first goal of the season.
If the club management doesn’t bring in a new number 9, then Zidane’s choices will be minimized drastically.
Firstly, he will be forced to settle for a 4-4-2 diamond formation, while utilizing Hazard as the false striker next to Benzema. This formation will give Hazard more freedom by immensely reducing his defensive roles leaving the playmaking role to central midfielders, Isco, or Odegaard.
Zidane could also opt for a 4-3-3 formation with Hazard, Asensio, and Benzema as attackers. The formation puts pressure on the wingers, Hazard, and Asensio, to fall back for defensive duties.
These two gameplays would offer Zidane with unpredictable options when facing different teams during the season.
However, a lot can still change in the next four days before the transfer window closes on 5th October. The Covid-19 pandemic has limited club’s global spending, but that would not deter Zidane from hunting a treble for Los Blancos. Bet on all La Liga matches with Betway for a chance to win good money throughout the 2020/21 season.
