After what some labelled a disastrous pre-season, injury to Eden Hazard only served to dampen expectations even further for Real Madrid ahead of their trip to Estadio de Balaidos on Saturday. They faced Celta Vigo as they looked to get their 2019/20 campaign off to a winning start, though they did so with a starting line-up which did not include a single new signing.
Karim Benzema was the man to break the deadlock, converting after good work by Vinicius out wide. Luka Modric was sent off before the hour mark for a clumsy challenge just outside the box, though Toni Kroos rocket settled the nerves with substitute Lucas Vazquez finding the back of the net for a third. There was a consolation for Celta though as teenager Iker Losada secured an injury time effort but the result ended with an impressive 3-1 win for the visitors.
This tactical analysis will consider what Zinedine Zidane and Fran Escriba can learn from their latest outing as Zidane took his team to the top of La Liga from matchday one, putting them above Barcelona for the first time in 76 matches.
Line-ups
Escriba lined up with a team largely as expected, giving Toro Fernandez his debut up-front in place of Maxi Gomez, who has joined Valencia, whilst Denis Suarez was also given a debut, this time from a wide position.
Zidane named a side which was almost straight out of 2016. Only Vinicius Junior and Thibaut Courtois came into the team from the XI which was so established under the Frenchman in his last spell in charge. The tactics too remained the same in a 4-3-3 shape, with Gareth Bale earning a start on the right.
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