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.

Ramos has been training separately so i assume he wont start. Did Kova get 1 or 2 games suspension? I cant remember, regardless this should not be too difficult

May Bale's and Benzema's forms continue and i hope we get a clean sheet. We havent had that many of them lately

The full squad is as follows:

Goalkeepers: Keylor Navas, Kiko Casilla and Ruben Yanez.

Defenders: Varane, Pepe, Marcelo Carvajal, Arbeloa and Danilo.

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

Forwards: Benzema, Cristiano Ronaldo and Jesse.

Our squad. Poor Lucas Vasquez, he was actually quite good but Zidane is doing a Carlo on him

Isn't Kova suspended?

Kova was only suspended for one game.

Same line up as last week. Varane in for the injured Ramos. Lets hope we play as good as last week

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

10/10 performance

Absolutely love this version of Bale. Comes down to midfield when we have the ball to help out Modric and Carvajal, has a good connection with Carvajal, helps to defend, doesnt overdo things, unselfish and scores goals. I hope he is alright because he is awesome now. Cant believe Carlo did not make him play like this.

Another one is Benzema. Absolutely wonderful season he is having. I hope he keeps shooting when he is in a good position like today instead of looking for someone else

Carvajal

Also when Bale got injured, Jese went up instead of James

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

Also Nick, this is what i meant by interchanging position of the front three. They all kept swapping positions and it made us less predictable

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.

That makes it alot easier to prepare for games AND seasons no doubt. But James' best position is RW, i would have assumed him taking over from Bale if he is injured for a couple of weeks not Jese

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.