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5. Zidane makes the system work around the individual
This Real Madrid squad that Zinedine Zidane has moulded is quite an incredible one. They’ve now scored in 59 consecutive games, and they’ve rarely looked better than they did today.
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I had written post the Bayern Munich second leg that Isco’s inclusion in the squad and the subsequent failure of the team’s defensive shape had proved that the system was always going to hold precedence over the individual... but today Zidane bought out his tactical A-game. With Luka Modric and Toni Kroos sitting deeper alongside Carlos Casemiro, he allowed Isco and Ronaldo the freedom of the pitch in the final and the Atleti defence and midfield hadn’t a clue as to what to do. The sheer fluidity of that front three was footballing poetry in motion, and with Carvajal (later, Nacho) and Marcelo making sure no one missed the wide midfielders in the traditional 4-3-3, this was arguably Zidane’s best tactical display till date.
If the ultimate Galactico cannot make the system work around the individual, who can, eh?
On a side note, this is Zinedine ‘freaking’ Zidane we are talking about... how does anyone seriously doubt the man’s footballing intelligence and tactical astuteness?
