Real Madrid vs Deportivo La Coruña

   


Here we are again, standing before uncertainty after our commander-in-chief decided to scythe the head of his umpteenth war general and hand over the keys to his protege. The move was a shock to many of us, just like the move for Rafa. Zidane's reign at Castilla hasn't been that stellar and it remains to be seen whether he'll be able to make us paddle away from Rafa's mediocrity and into a brand of beautiful attacking football.

Of course it would be unreasonable to expect a 180 degree change overnight. ZZ is going to need time to implement his ideas. Fortunately, Deportivo, though unpredictable, shouldn't pose that big of a problem to him and we should win this regardless.

The treatment room is empty and he has everybody at his disposal. We hope that:

1. He won't use Danilo.
2. We won't see a replica of 5-0-5.
3. The duties will be distributed equally and not run certain players to the ground.

Post-conference Notes: The conference was held, Zidane would only confirm the presence of BBC. His last training session ahead of the Deportivo visit though had this lineup:

Keylor; Carvajal, Pepe, Ramos, Marcelo; Kroos, Modric Isco; Bale Benzema and Cristiano.

ZZ also said that as long as he's in charge Ronaldo isn't going anywhere and that he'll continue to take the freekicks. Also, he said that both James and Isco are very important to him but kind of insinuated that only one can start. However, he'll make sure to keep everybody happy.

The stand-out quote from his press conference:

We're all going to work together when we don't have the ball. You cannot afford to have two or three players who don't defend

I hope he's not just all talk. If he really means this, than 80% of our problems are already gone.

Official Lineup: Navas, Carvajal, Ramos, Pepe, Marcelo; Kroos, Modrić, Isco; Bale, Benzema, Cristiano Ronaldo

Shouldn't take Deportivo lightly even if we're at home.

Ow starts a run of easy games. Lets start picking up some points

Ramos James in the Uefa team of the year

First EDIT of the original post.

Bah gawd if he chooses that line up. Zidane ma man

On whether there was any truth to the president rumours linking Ronaldo with a move to PSG, Zidane answered: "Not as long as I am here. Cristiano is more than non-transferable. He is the soul of the team and a symbol of Madridismo. He isn't going anywhere."

This is sad news

"We want to make the fans happy. We want them to enjoy watching the team and the players.

" Zidane said. "When we don't have the ball everyone has to defend, but the best way to defend is to have the ball."

This is good news

Zidane has learnt well from Carlo. Big up your players and stay out of controversy. Wanting posession will be hard with the directness of Bale and Ronaldo. We will see. All i care about is that Carvajal and Isco are back in the line up in their preferred positions which will solve alot of our problems

CALL OF REAL MADRID:

Goalkeepers: Keylor Navas, Casilla and Ruben Yanez.

Defenders: Varane, Pepe, Ramos, Marcelo, Danilo Carvajal.

Midfielders: Kroos, James, Bale, Casemiro, Modric and Isco.

Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo, Benzema, and Jesse Lucas Vázquez

Ball possession is only relevant when you actually use it properly. Otherwise, it just becomes sterile and you look like one of those guys playing FIFA that think passing the ball side to side would mean something.

As long as Zidane can get these men to play positive and sensible football, he can build on something and even get an extension to next season.

On his words of Ronaldo, just being political and respectful of a key man in the team. Nothing to see here. His words on defensive responsibilities, again, political statement. Even coaches at the amateur level want their players to defend and attack as a unit. If the players don't actually do it then it comes to naught.

Alas, truly excited to see Madrid under Zidane. Haven't seen a full proper match in a while and it's under my favourite footballer I've grown up watching. God I hope he doesn't do shit...

tbh from the clips i have seen with the players training, has filled me with a lot of hope, same kind of hope after carlo first session, quick one touch passing, but zidane is also trying to add triangles to the mix consistently, something i have longed to see since forever.

if zidane can iron out the individual tendencies of the team, then the season can be saved imo, the players have to buy in completely, at least most of them.

It will all come down to whether the players can break their natural tendencies in order to meet the requirements for the shape of the team. In other words, it's down to showing tactical discipline by the players which we have sorely lacked this season.

It's Bale I fear that can't adapt to Zidane's proposed possession football. I don't worry about Ronaldo, if regains form he is too good not to perform in any circumstances.

Don't know about you but I can't wait to see how the team does under Zidane's tutelage.

Valkyrja wrote:Don't know about you but I can't wait to see how the team does under Zidane's tutelage.

I think a lot of football fans are very keen to see what Zidane can bring. You know, it's Zidane, a lot of us grew up loving his football and now he is a manager.

I really hope he doesn't do shit though...

If I don't see that giant gap in the midfield, I'll be happy with tomorrow's game.

Glad to see Isco back in the line up. Not even sure why Rafa had him benched.

Dont even remind me of that gap

I see a compact midfield and i will see that as an achievement

Also Depor will likely defend with 10 so we will see what Zidane has in store in terms of trying to open them up

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CYS-SycWYAIHmEo.jpg

Bah gawd Zidane. Winning the hearts of madridistas in his first game in chsrgr. Well done.

No more best RB in LaLiga

Final EDIT of the original post: lineup revealed.

Finally, Danilo on the bench! I think I'm gonna cry.

Also Isco must be brimming with confidence after Zidane gets him out of the freezer and straight into the line up in his preferred position that he has not played all season.

are we lining up with a 4-2-3-1?

Isco is playing like James, creating a 424

How long is Kovacic suspended for again?

It's not a 424.  It's a 433.  Isco is covering Marcelo as Marcelo is given freedom to attack. You're getting a lot of runs from the flanks and it's creating very good spacing. The midfielders are there for flow and defensive cover mostly. The fullbacks are asked to attack more.