5 matches where Zinedine Zidane showed his tactical acumen

#2 vs Villarreal, La Liga 2016-17

Morata scored the winner

Real Madrid went to Estadio Ceremica to play Villarreal requiring a win to get back to the top of the La Liga table. The task wasn't easy as Villarreal were playing some great football and were having the best defensive record in La Liga at that point.

The task was made even harder as they scored 2 goals early in the second half and cruised to a 2-0 lead. Nothing during the game made anyone believe that Madrid can mount a comeback and win the game. Villarreal were dominating possession and were creating more chances in the attacking third.

Zidane then decided to make a tactical switch. He brought on the attacking talent of Isco at the place of defensive-minded Casemiro at the 60th-minute mark and the game took a turn on its head.

Kroos and Modric formed a double pivot as Isco played in a free role as a number 10 supported by Bale and Ronaldo on wings and Benzema up front. Shortly after Ronaldo's thunderous left-footed volley came back off the post Bale scored with a header from Carvajal cross as Real Madrid threw the kitchen sink at Villarreal.

A few minutes later Ronaldo equalised from the spot and then Morata came off the bench to make it 3-2 from a Marcelo cross. The Villarreal defence stood shattered as they tried to identify what had just struck them. Isco was heavily involved throughout his substitute appearance and was crucial in first and third goal scored by Madrid. In less than 30 minutes Real Madrid had scored 3 goals against the best defence in La Liga to take away a crucial win.

Zidane again showcased his tactical acumen in the way he utilised Isco and made that midfield work without a midfield enforcer like Casemiro who had become a crucial part of the Real Madrid midfield.