Zinedine Zidane s Real Madrid are not only playing free-flowing, high-scoring football, but they also appear to have addressed some of the defensive frailties that plagued them in the final stages of Rafa Benítez’s tenure.
‘Los Blancos’ conceded 18 times in Benítez’s last 11 matches in charge, which works out as 1.6 goals against per game. Their record in Zidane’s first few weeks at the helm makes for much prettier reading, with just two goals rippling Keylor Navas’s net in four games: Isma López’s consolation strike for Sporting Gijón and Álvaro Cejudo’s unstoppable worldie for Betis. Neither Deportivo nor Espanyol were able to get on the scoresheet against a team who have certainly looked more assured in recent weeks, having become increasingly vulnerable following a defensively stingy start to the campaign.
Before the fans get too excited, though, we must note that Real Madrid are allowing opponents pretty much the same number of attempts on goal as they were when Benítez was in the hotseat. Under the Spanish tactician, the ‘Merengues’ faced 209 shots in 18 games, i.e. 11.6 per encounter. Under Zidane, that figure stands at 46 in four matches, which equates to 11.5 a game.
Bron :Marca
