How Zinedine Zidane's tactics led to Real Madrid's much needed 1-4 win over Valencia

The result sees Madrid move to within two points of the hosts in third place and 16 points behind Barcelona who have a game in hand.

In this Manager Microscope, we dissect the tactics that led to the result as Zinedine Zidane registered a much needed victory.

Basic Stats

REAL MADRID

Shots – 11

Shots on target – 7

Pass success – 87%

Aerial duel Success – 59%

Dribbles won – 15

Tackles – 29

Possession – 57%

STARTING FORMATIONS
[4-3-3]
It was very much back to basics for Zidane in this encounter. The Frenchman reverted to a 4-3-3 system with largely the same personnel that excelled during his first few months in charge, absent Sergio Ramos.

Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale made up the front three, a first start for the ‘BBC’ trio in 280 days.

Casemiro anchored the midfield with Luka Modric and Toni Kroos operating in front of him.

Zidane fielded the same team that beat Deportivo la Coruna 7-1 last week with only Benzema coming in for Borja Mayoral.

TACTICAL TURNING POINTS
Dealing with Valencia’s high press

Valencia definitely didn’t hold back. The hosts were keen to attack the under-fire Madridistas and put pressure on their back-line. As a result, Madrid found it difficult to play out from the back early on and often lost possession in the process.

Raphael Varane in particular lacked composure and faltered under pressure whilst also struggling with his positioning.

Madrid seemed to then drop five to ten yards deeper as a team, with the likes of Kroos and Modric showing for the ball and then feeding the front three who were able to run at the Valencia defence.

Ronaldo-Benzema interchange

In this system and personnel, certain things are a given. The full-backs will overlap the inverted wingers, Casemiro will shield the defence and Ronaldo will swap places with Benzema on a regular basis.

The interchange has proved fruitful in the past which has seen the Frenchman keep his place in the first team despite his less than impressive goals return.

However, that tactic delivered mixed results on this occasion. Ronaldo definitely caused problems whenever he popped up in the middle but Benzema was ineffective when operating on the wing. Incidentally, both of Madrid’s penalties were won when Ronaldo was positioned in the middle and Benzema wide although the first was from a breakaway.

Switch in attack

Both Bale and Benzema were replaced midway through the second half with Lucas Vasquez and Marco Ansensio being introduced.

The duo offered more width as the left-footed Asensio was deployed on the left flank and his right-footed team-mate on the opposite side while Ronaldo played up top.

The Portuguese certainly benefited as he took up good positions trying to find space inside the box as Valencia chased the game. He saw a few chances to complete his hat-trick come his way as well but it was Marcelo who grabbed the third goal to secure the points after good wing play by Asensio before Kroos put some gloss on the score-line with a fourth.

Vasquez and Asensio’s contributions in supporting their full-backs were crucial as well.

Our verdict

This was a huge game for Zidane, make no mistake. He did well to revert to a tried and tested formula and Valencia certainly didn’t make it easy for his side.

It must be said that Madrid’s defence needs sorting out and with better finishing, the hosts may have secured a result. The Frenchman did well to deal with Valencia’s high press in the first half and his substitutions worked out as well with the front-line needing freshening up.

7/10 

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Stats from whoscored.com