Everything to the Champions

“We are at the limit, I don't know how we are going to end …”. Zidane He did not hide the physical problems of the team in such an anomalous season due to the load of the calendar and the effects of the coronavirus. It was after the last Clásico won on April 11. Then, Madrid was immersed in a heroic streak (he appeared before Valladolid or Getafe only with 11 and 13 healthy fieldmen from the first team) that led him to fully immerse himself in the fight for the League and in the semifinals of the Champions. And it's still in it. There are already 17 games without losing, although the last two draws in the league have made the domestic championship more complicated.

Now, Zidane faces the most difficult yet. Actually, with the gear pinned on, He has been betting everything on the Champions for several dates. That is why he sat down Benzema against Getafe and that is why he has given Kroos the respite I needed. The coach could only risk in the league to reach these semifinals in the best conditions against him Chelsea how important they are to the entity. Also, in these times of crisis, economically.

To date, this feat of Madrid to overcome all the difficulties to stand in the semifinals of the Champions has earned the club just over one hundred million euros. The objective of the budget, 92.52 million of income in the Income from Friendlies and International Competitions item (which this year sticks to the Champions League due to the absence of preseason), it is fulfilled. Now, everything that comes is an addition that will alleviate any eventual losses at the end of the course. And 20.6 million more are still at stake: 15 for reaching the final, 4 for lifting the Orejona and 1.67 more for the market pool.

Yesterday brought good and bad news for Zidane. On the one hand, get Kroos back and with him the magnificent three in the center of the field. For another, It seems that Mendy, except for a miracle, will miss the first leg against Chelsea. The Frenchman stayed working in the gym and his absence even leaves open the scheme that Zidane will use. You can lean towards the 4-3-3 in which he moves more at ease, putting Nacho on the left side (since Carvajal points to headline), or use the 5-3-2 which is also giving great results, in this case making use of Marcelo in the left-handed lane position.

Injuries (and those positive for coronavirus) have not given Real Madrid any truce throughout the season. There are currently six outfield players, all members of the backbone of the team, who exceed or are very close to 3,000 minutes of play. They are Casemiro Y Varane (both 3,346), Benzema (3,267), Modric (3,205) and Kroos (2,923). Three of them, fundamental in the center of the field, the area with the greatest wear and tear and that supports the team. For their part, at Chelsea only three fieldmen come close to that figure: Mason Mount (3,547), Werner (3,190) and Azpilicueta (2,952). The English arrive much fresher … But Madrid, if something has shown in recent times, is that it grows in the face of adversity.