The whites were knocked out of the Copa Del Rey in the round of 16 as Zidane’s jinx in the competition continues. Below are the major talking points from the encounter.
Zidane and the Real Madrid team clearly underrated Real Sociedad
When the line up for the encounter was released, in the Real Madrid starting eleven was attack-minded players with little defensive coverage for the keeper, against a team currently gunning for European spots in the league and with Martin Odegaard, one of the best players in the league this season.
With the absence of Casemiro, Zidane placed Toni Kroos in his stead and that was a decision the Frenchman will live to regret all season. Constantly the German was outran and outwitted by Odegaard and his cohort and he got little coverage from his fellow midfielders, especially James Rodriguez who isn’t much of an attacker.
The defense, however, were missing Varane and Ferland Mendy. Although Varane’s replacement Eder Militao did a good job, Marcelo was typical Marcelo. His poor defensive ability cost the team time and time again and it is no surprise that Real Madric conceded three of the four goals from his angle. This is certainly a match Zidane will learn some lessons from.
Vinicius Junior is Class!
Ever since post Ronaldinho, we looked up to Neymar Junior as the deadly Brazilian’s replacement but the former Santos man has seen his career face more media criticism and money issues than on-field participation.
With the skillful Brazilian moving over to a league with little recognition, it looked as if we are lacking that player who leaves our mouth ajar with jaw breaking skills until our attention was brought towards a certain Flamengo star by Real Madrid, and oh, guess what country he is from, BRAZIL, surprise? Definitely not!
Vinicius Junior was scouted and brought to the Bernabeu by Real Madrid after taking the Brazilian league by storm. The winger is pacey and skillful, constantly leaving defenders at his wake just like we once witnessed in the days of Ronaldinho.
At just 19, Vinicius is confident enough to beat veteran defenders like Gerard Pique on the ball and is a constant menace to a solid defense like that of Simeone’s Atletico Madrid.
At the Bernabeu against Real Sociedad, the Brazilian was the brightest of the Real Madrid players on the field. He constantly found space for himself on the left with just a little nice and fancy touch and accessed the Sociedad box time and time again but there is a problem with the Brazilian that has always remained, FINISHING. This is what Vinicius seriously needs to work on and he will undoubtedly be one of the best in the game.
OH MY MARCELO!
If there is one saying that is truer than any you have come across in life, it is that “nothing lasts forever”.
Few years ago, Marcelo was regarded as the best left back or rather, left back on paper but left winger on pitch. It doesn’t matter what position the Brazilian was playing when available, the most important thing is that he shines for the whites always and was one of the major reason they lifted three consecutive European titles.
Today, however, Marcelo has lost his place to Ferland Mendy and we can blame that on age. The Brazilian is no longer the player we used to know and his defensive frailties appear to be getting worse than before. Normally, what Marcelo couldn’t do in defense, he makes up for it in the attack. These days, the Brazilian is getting weaker and Sergio Ramos who has always covered him is also getting weaker, hence the inclusion of a younger, energetic and defensive minded left back in Ferland Mendy.
These are the few major talking points from that encounter and as Madridsta, it pains really well to already lose hope for a treble I once hoped for, considering how much balance I saw in the team recently. A moment of mistake and complacency cost the team a title, I hope it doesn’t continue.
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