Zidane struggling shore real defence
You're referring to the struggles of Zinedine Zidane's Real Madrid team in defense during his managerial tenure!
Yes, during his first stint as Real Madrid manager from 2016 to 2018, Zidane's team often struggled to defend effectively, particularly in big games. Here are some reasons that contributed to their defensive woes:
- Lack of a natural defender: Zidane's team often played with a fluid, attacking lineup, which meant that there wasn't a dedicated, defensive-minded player in the starting XI. This led to a lack of organization and discipline at the back.
- Injuries to key defenders: Real Madrid suffered from a series of injuries to their top defenders, including Sergio Ramos, Raphael Varane, and Dani Carvajal. This disrupted the team's defensive cohesion and made it difficult to find a consistent backline.
- Over-reliance on Ramos: While Sergio Ramos is an exceptional defender, Zidane's team often relied too heavily on him to bail out their defensive mistakes. This put a lot of pressure on Ramos and made it difficult for the team to defend as a unit.
- Lack of depth in defense: Real Madrid's squad was not particularly deep in defense, which meant that they often had to rely on younger, less experienced players to fill in for injured starters. This led to mistakes and defensive lapses.
- Tactical issues: Zidane's team often played with a high defensive line, which left them exposed to counter-attacks. Additionally, their midfielders were often too far forward, leaving the defense exposed and vulnerable to opposition attacks.
Despite these struggles, Zidane's Real Madrid still managed to win several titles, including two La Liga championships and three Champions League titles. However, their defensive issues were a major concern and contributed to their eventual departure from the Champions League in the 2017-2018 season.