Asylum15
Senior Member
Good teams find ways to win matches like Madrid were last season, now they're finding ways to lose.
Zidane is a much bigger fraud than Lucho. He won his first CL of easy draws, the league off late clutch goals and his second CL via offside goals.
The only part he can take some credit for is giving Madrid a bit of a lift in morale after his initial hiring and man managing his players well enough to get them to perform last season. Now that honeymoon shine, dressing room morale and respect he got from Madrid's players have worn out he's getting exposed for the tactical novice he is.
Madrid literally have the most primal way of playing football.
95% of Real Moves:
- CBs pass to each other.
- Goes into Kroos/Modric.
- Goes wide.
- Marcelo/Carvajal put in hopeful cross, not really aimed at anyone.
- Madrid lose ball.
- Their 'pressure' game begins.
- This consists of only 1-2 players pressing, while the others don't.
- They get counter attacked, mostly resulting in nothing/opposition give the ball away.
- Repeat.
Last year/year before, those hopeful crosses would eventually lead to a header, tap in, penalty, you name it.
This year, teams aren't as stupid. They've learned.
Was interesting to see Villarreal allowing Real the width of the pitch in the 2nd half, comfortable enough to allow them to cross.