This is being the most anomalous start of the season for everyone, including Real Madrid. The impossibility of a pre-season to use, in the white case with only one preparation match, against Getafe in Valdebebas, required extraordinary attention and measures. “It is our turn and we must be prepared”, said a more vigilant Zidane if possible because his people have taken off more than a year too early from the league leadership. In this it has been very different, at the top of the table just before an international break that falls well in the Frenchman's schemes.
After four rounds, Zizou and his players have made the cut with a high note. The first objective in this period was Do not repeat previous mistakes: minimize possible damage and save the type, thinking that only after the stoppage could you take a run. And the plan has turned out, as the coach himself underlined after winning Levante: “There are three wins and a draw in four games, what more am I going to ask for?”
With the file well covered at the level of results, Zidane has these weeks a very valuable time to to continue working with those who have not been selected and to carry out tasks for when the internationals return. There is room for improvement, something recognized when pointing out the deficits after the premiere at the Reale Arena: “Physically we were well. We lacked something else. You have to work more in front of the goal. You have to find solutions and the gap up there. “
Rotations and injury recovery
In sharpen your aim Zizou is focusing the focus on Real Madrid City. The equipment remains in wall mode, with a huge Courtois that he has only conceded two goals in four days, leaving the door to zero in three of them. But in the front area, instead, records only six goals, a figure that is perceived somewhat scarce in the long run. There is a way to go because, in addition, the French continues to think about rotating, one of his maxims. “Since I came here as a coach, I have always done the same”, remembered October 3.
And, while all that is cooking, from the infirmary you breathe. The week before the selection window was tragic for Madrid: Kroos' injury was confirmed and Hazard, Carvajal and Odriozola fell. Furthermore, Courtois ended up with discomfort in the psoas, which is why he has now returned from the Belgium camp earlier than planned. Apart from the Carvajal mishap, which is expected to reappear in December, Kroos will only miss one game (in the past, against Levante), Odriozola none and Hazard's absence, if all goes well, could stay in four games (Levante, Cádiz, Shakhtar and Barcelona). Without this pause for the selections, it would have been worse. Injuries are always inconvenient, but the last ones maybe a little less for it …