Why Zidane Leaving Might be Good For Real Madrid
Now don’t get me wrong, Zidane has delivered a lot in this injury-filled season getting us this far in 2 competitions and if we want to focus on the present then he should stay.
But if we are looking to transition from our old guards before they get too old then Zidane isn’t the right man for that. That is because we have to admit our playing style is not sustainable.
We play with a lot of dependence on Benzema, Modric and Kroos that doesn’t look to be changing anytime soon. We play at the wings and usually ignore the center (we only play center to switch it to the other flank).
Mendy isn’t an offensive or technically gifted fullback so he usually passes back instead of linking with Kroos Vini/Hazard and Benzema and when we switch play to Carvajal and the right-winger, they are usually isolated in the right cause the whole team tends to play left so all Carvajal can do is cross.
Another problem is that Modric and especially Kroos play too deep to help build up (that kills our creativity) and that’s because Casemiro isn’t good on the ball so players rarely pass to him usually leaving us with 9 players when building up.
All of this usually ends up in us playing a very slow-paced buildup that just switches from side to side creating space to cross but Benzema is the only areal threat, there is a lack of verticality and directness in our attack. This is down to the tactics we are using not down to the quality of our squad.
Buying Mbappe won’t solve this problem because our style of play and slow build-up is degrading our attack.
Next season we need to see Antonio Blanco get fully promoted, Ødegaard needs to come back from loan, Valverde needs to be played in his best position. We need to see new tactics in build-up play where our midfielders don’t drop to the center backs
Here are ideas for a fresh and direct midfield:
Option 1
This formation would be good cause Antonio is good on the ball and looks to pass forward. Kroos can help dictate the tempo and create while Valverde could be positioned ahead of those two to give a vertical option for them to pass too.
This will allow Valverde to make his line-breaking energetic runs to cause chaos to our opponents. This is also good defensively cause Kroos won’t be advanced high up on the field and Valverde can always track back and help out Blanco.
Option 2
This will allow Ødegaard to play as a 10 in between the lines cause he has 2 athletic players behind him who can get into position while letting Ødegaard press. And in the build-up, both Modric and Blanco are good on the ball and can get the ball to him.
Modric is at the left side of midfield cause he is right-footed and putting him there would usually turn him towards the middle instead of the fullback.
Option 3
In this lineup, we can have one of Kroos or Modric drop while the other is advanced to give multiple outlets to attack. This formation will give us a lot of control and numbers in midfield giving us fluid ball progression while being solid in defensive transition cause of the anchor Casemiro.
There can be different combinations but we need to see a more direct and vertical build-up with new tactics and movements and Zidane can’t give us that. What Zidane does, works but won’t last for long and we need to transition from the old guard to play the new generation.
And let’s not forget we were all saying mid-season that we need to keep Zidane this season then find a manager to incorporate the young guns into the team. And if it takes us not winning LaLiga this season to make Zidane leave then so be it.
Raul might be the right person to take over cause he plays a very vertical style with Castilla and can promote the likes of Miguel and Blanco.
Comments
Do not mislead this midfield next season, stop bringing options without Valverde included. Every option must include Valverde that is for sure, we shouldn't even think twice on that guy he has been there waiting for Modric for good two seasons its either we reverse to 4 in the middle including the old guards with Valverde together or rest someone for him but its high time Valverde's position is secured in the middle.
Well said, what you said has happened
Whatever changes happen in the team, i think Zidane should continue as Real Madrid coach I'll justify this 1) Players respect him. They know what an amazing baller he was in his day, so they know he means business. Players respecting their managers is hugely important 2)He knows how to get the best out of each and every player. Just look at Valverde's meteoric rise! If Zizou sees potential, you better believe he's gonna bring the best out of them. (The players need to stay patient as well and not jump ship like Llorente did) 3) He knows how to steady the ship in turbulent times. 59 injuries, and no new signings and still reached the semis of UCL while being in contention for the league title? That's something only Zizou can do 4)Mbappe idolises Zidane, so he'll play a vital role if we want to see Mbappe at Madrid any time soon While this has been a below-par season, you cant blame Zidane for it. But he's still done an extraordinary job, hats off to him We need a complete makeover, a new galactico era, with Zinedine Zidane at the helm Hala Madrid Y Nada Mas 🤍
Exactly people are quick to forget.
This is bullshit .... remember 2016/17 when we have a good squad and back ups does zidane not rotate...he works with what we have...I'm tired of some fans if he lose a match without starting the old guards then they be like why didn't he start them...y'all can never be contented...