Zinedine Zidane is one of the most loved managers by Real Madrid supporters in the current era. The French legend took the club to the next level by his managerial skills. He created a humongous record of winning a trophy in every 19 games. He managed the star-studded dressing room of Los Blancos and led them to the path of success. He had won 3 UEFA Champions Leagues, 2 La Liga, 2 Club World Cups, and 2 UEFA Super Cups. He left the club in a peak of success. But the situation changed drastically and he was forced to return after a bad spell of Julien Lopetegui and Santiago Solari.
Zidane is one of the best managers in recent times. His Madrid side has experienced immense success. His main USP is his fluidity in tactics and team selection. He is not rigid with his game style and can change it with the availability of players. But this season he might face challenges as the squad is aging and some of the players had been transferred or loaned out to other clubs. Today we will look at the Real Madrid squad preview and how can they lineup in this season and what are the best formations this season.
Real Madrid Squad Preview: Probable Formation and Lineup
Real Madrid has some of the best players in each and every position. But along with that, they have some severe problems. Some positions are heavily overcrowded while others lack options. Positions like Central Defensive Midfielder and Right Back lack options. They also need a goal–scoring number 9. Keeping these in mind we can say Madrid can face some challenges while choosing a team and formation. So up next in this Real Madrid squad preview, we will be looking at the formations which Zinedine Zidane is most likely to use in the upcoming season.
4-3-3 Basic
This is the most used formation by Zinadine Zidane in the previous season. This formation allows using both Luka Modric and Toni Kroos. It also allows Madrid to control the midfield and gives a distinct advantage against high pressing sides. Both Modric and Kroos can absorb the press and open up opponent defense easily. Fede Valverde and Martin Odegaard can also be as options and that will open a whole new playstyle for Madrid. Zidane can use the energy of Fede to carry the ball from defense while Odegaard will play as a hook to connect the attack.
This formation also provides defensive stability as Casemiro can drop in front of the two center-backs. Ramos and Varane will form the Center back pair while Mendy and Carvajal will form the two fullbacks. They will overlap and will provide width on either flank. The forward line will comprise of Benzema, Hazard, and Asensio. Benzema can drop to create space while Hazard and Asensio will drift inside. But this system has got some issues. As there is no goalscoring forward upfront so most of the chances created by the midfield are wasted. Secondly, in absence of Ramos, there is no other ball-playing defender on the side so the connection between defense and midfield and switch of flanks from the defense is interrupted. But still, it is expected that Real Madrid will line up mostly in this formation under their French gaffer.
4-2-3-1
With the inclusion of Martin Odegaard in the side, Zidane has now got the option of using some new style of play. 4-2-3-1 is one of them. This formation can come very handy against low block sides as this includes either Isco or Odegaard as number 10. Isco can also rejuvenate his form with this formation as this gives him the license to operate in the zone 14 areas. With Kroos and Casemiro in the central mid, this system also protects the number 10 against the high press. Kroos can provide his exceptional long balls for the forwards or attacking mids.
Using an attacking mid will also help both Hazard and Asensio as they can now use the pockets of space created in opponent defense to make a run. But this system also includes the same problem as before. As Benzema will also drop in the midfield and neither Hazard nor Asensio can play as an inverted forward so there will be a lack of men upfront. Defensively this formation is also stable as neither Kroos nor Casemiro will be needed to move up-front and they can support the defense.
Final Thoughts
Zinedine Zidane’s side is like a box of surprises. Though in this Real Madrid squad preview, we have discussed the lineups most frequently used by Zidane, it is very hard to predict how he can lineup before every matchday. His fluidity in tactics gives his side an extra edge over his opponents. The above-mentioned formations are the two best systems for his side considering the type of players he got. But it is possible that he uses neither of these two this season. After all, it is all inside his head and no one can guess it perfectly for the whole season. We are blessed to watch this tactical genius in his growing phase. He has the potential to finish as one of the most successful managers of Real Madrid, a legendary figure who will be in the hearts of every Madridista.
Liked our tactical analysis of how the Real Madrid squad can lineup for the 2020/21 season? Read more of such tactical analysis based on the latest transfers to the new season below
What’s your opinion on this Real Madrid squad preview? Let us know in the comment section below.
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