Real Madrid vs Sporting Gijón

Here we are, boys, about to witness Z's second game in charge of Real Madrid. Naturally, it's still too early to get a grasp of Z's style and philosophy. However, there were a few discernible traits we gleaned from the Deportivo game:

1. Build from the back
2. Have an option in mind before receiving the ball
3. Close ranks and fall back when you don't have the ball
4. Press and win possession back high up the pitch, which saves you running 80 metres
5. Never turn your back on the opposition

We respect Sporting, but this shouldn't be too difficult for us and we should win. I only have one demand and one demand only: No Danilo please. You can do whatever you want with the lineup, bench whoever you want, and play whoever you want. But no Danilo.

Let's hope we play as well as last week but with less mistakes.

FIRST EDIT:
REAL MADRID SQUAD:
Goalkeepers: Keylor Navas, Kiko Casilla and Rubén Yáñez.
Defenders: Varane, Pepe, Marcelo, Carvajal, Arbeloa and Danilo.
Midfielders: Kroos, James, Bale, Casemiro, Kovacic, Modric and Isco.
Forwards: Benzema, Cristiano Ronaldo and Jesé.

Z's press conference wasn't that interesting. He didn't talk that much about the game.

Players left out:
Cheryshev, Nacho and Vasquez.

Player(s) injured:
Ramos

Official lineup:

Good series of games for a new coach. The real tests will start with Roma on Feb 17th... should be smooth until then.

Isn't Kova suspended?

Kova was only suspended for one game.

Last Edit of the original post: official lineup revealed.

No Danilo

No Danilo is like fresh air

3 goals less than 15 mins lol

Godly football

We had to somehow pay the price for this godly football. Bale is injured. I hope it's nothing serious. God I hope it's nothing serious. The man has been playing like God.

Calf and he walked off. 2-4 weeks. It's fine.... the games until Roma are fine.

Bale is such a disciplined player. Good game

Right

I was gonna say Jese looked like he will replace Bale on the field. James still on bench.

He's as good as gone imo

I think Zidane wants to keep players in role... and James is a CM to back up those 3. And Jese is a winger. Makes it easier to prepare the guys... important especially for bench players to have a consistent role when they come in.

I think Zidane wants to break those instincts because it messes James up when he goes back to CM.  He naturally drifts forward.  He's looking to score goals as opposed to play his role.

We'll see though. Watch him come in now for Bale

Jesé is coming for Bale.

I missed the first half, but the goals were brilliant.

Its goodbye james..

Terrific performance. Absolutely world class. And the hatred we've been getting is testimony to that

Anxiously awaiting Benzema and Bale injury reports. They are simply too good for football fans to be deprived of their talent.