History was made on Saturday night as for the first time in 91 years of history, the reigning champion and league leader lost to a newly promoted side as Cadiz beat Real Madrid. Los Blancos rested several key players after the international break and were shown up by Cádizs impressive display.
Cádiz secured their third away win of the season from three games thanks to Choco Lozanos strike early on in the first-half and they were unfortunate not to have doubled, or possibly even trebled, their lead. They frustrated Real Madrid, wearing pink to recognise Breast Cancer Awareness Day, to hold out and secure the victory.
This tactical analysis will provide analysis of the tactics of Real Madrid and Cádiz to understand how Álvaro Cervera overcame Zinedine Zidanes team to end the matchday in fifth and on the same number of points as Real Madrid in La Liga.
Line-ups
Zidane selected an unusually offensive line-up to face Cádiz, with Isco coming into the side to replace Casemiro in the same shape that saw Martin Ødegaard start against Real Sociedad earlier in the season, though injury ruled him out of this one. Nacho continued at right-back while Toni Kroos returned to take Fede Valverdes place after an injury lay-off and Lucas Vázquez started ahead of Marcos Asensio.
Cádiz benefitted from the return of duo Álvaro Negredo and Carlos Akapo who had been suspended for the draw with Granada, though Marcos Mauro was injured and replaced by Fali. Pombo was also dropped to make way for Negredo, with Salvi Sánchez moving to a role on the wide right, alternating with Lozano.
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