La Liga 2019/20: Real Madrid vs Real Valladolid – tactical analysis

After Barcelona fell 2-0 to Valencia on Saturday, Real Madrid knew that a win or draw would take it to the top of the La Liga table. Standing in its way was Real Valladolid, owned by the Real Madrid legend Ronaldo Nazário.

Despite the world-class attacking talent on the one side and ownership of one of the sport’s great strikers on the other, this was a tight match with little attacking joy. A disciplined Valladolid squad held Madrid to a .62 xG while collecting two of the game’s three shots with an xG of 0.1 or higher.

In this tactical analysis, we’ll examine the defensive structure of Real Valladolid, showing how they held Los Blancos to just three shots on target. An analysis of the Real attack will show why its attacks on the wings were so ineffective in this match, as well as why it struggled to stretch the field against this compact Real Valladolid side.

Lineups

For the home side, Sergio González lined up his team in a 1-4-3-1-2. Jordi Masip started in goal with Antoñito, Kiko Olivas, Mohammed Salisu and Raúl García forming the backline. The first line of midfielders consisted of Joaquín Fernández, Fede San Emeterio and Rubén Alcaraz with Míchel just in front of them. Up top were Enes Ünal and Sergi Guardiola. When Toni Suárez was introduced in the 57^th minute, the Blanquivioletas switched to a 1-4-4-2, finishing the match in that formation.

Zinedine Zidane rolled out a 1-4-3-3, featuring Thibaut Courtois in goal and Nacho, Rafael Varane, Sergio Ramos and Ferland Mendy along the backline. Casemiro played the pivot flanked by Toni Kroos and Luka Modrić. Rodrygo started on the right, Karim Benzema in the centre and Isco playing a nominal left-forward role while generally operating as a free attacker.