Almost a hundred days later (98, specifically), Real Madrid returns to competition. His last game was that skid at Villamarín (2-1) that made him lose his head in LaLiga. It was played on March 8. A world. That Madrid left bad feelings. He slipped out of the lead; Courtois and Marcelo were injured; Benzema only scored three goals in 13 games in 2020; Zidane and Kroos were not in their prime; Hazard was newly operated and with few options to play the season; Asensio had been injured since August … This Sunday against Eibar, three months later, it seems that nothing has changed but nevertheless everything exists differently. Starting with football itself, with its sanitary protocols, its new rules and its empty stadiums. Now Zidane will start the fight for LaLiga with two signings of troníio (Hazard and Asensio), also with disappointments (Nacho, Jovic, Mariano and Lucas, injured), and with a mentalized wardrobe for the 12 remaining games (at least). Next, we analyze one by one how the 25 footballers of the Madrid team arrive at the start of the competition.
Courtois
Matches played in 2019/20: 32 Minutes: 2,865 Goals conceded: 26
Courtois returns to the competition as he left: with the keys to Madrid's goal. The stoppage caused by the coronavirus pandemic allowed him to recover from the injury he suffered against in the defeat against Betis (2-1), in the last game before suspending LaLiga where the Whites lost the lead. After a first year at the Bernabéu with a lot of seismic activity, the Belgian was at the top of the Ferris wheel. It had grown, supporting Madrid in its victory in the Clásico (2-0) before that Villamarín match. Now he comes back recovered, with confidence (“It would be nice to win the League at Di Stéfano”) and with the challenge of getting Zamora.
Areola
Matches: 8 Minutes: 674 Goals conceded: 9
Areola has gone from being a starter in the second round against Manchester City due to Courtois' injury to returning to his usual substitute for the Belgian's recovery. The French goalkeeper has not played since February 6, the elimination in the Cup quarterfinals against Real at the Bernabéu (3-4). At the beginning of the season, he offered confidence and good feelings that he gradually lost, and that day he lost much of his credit to Imanol's team when he failed in Odegaard's goal and in which he closed the scoreboard. His stop percentage (59.09%) is far from Courtois' (72.92%).
Carvajal
Matches: 32 Minutes: 2,910 Goals: one Assists: 7
Absent due to the flu in the last prepademic game, the Villamarín wreck, Carvajal will return directly to eleven. It is a fixture for Zidane and in this final stretch of the season it will be more: he does not have a natural replacement on the side or a competition (Militao was in evidence against Betis and Nacho is injured). Despite its ups and downs this season, the team noted its minimal absences. Madrid lost half of the six games that were missing: Mallorca (1-0), Real Sociedad in Cup (3-4) and Betis (2-1) …
Militao
Matches: 13 Minutes: 992 Goals: 0 Assists: 0
His last game, against Betis, left a black cloud flying over his figure. Militao wrecked with a crash on the right side, replacing Carvajal's loss. From minute 47 to 52 he lost four balls with four bad passes and Fekir drove him crazy. At the center, his natural post, has offered more lights, although in no case has he touched on the good sign he brought from Porto. Militao signed this summer for 50 million, becoming the most expensive defender in Madrid. At 21, the club saw this move as a replica of the one he did with Pepe. For the moment, the player has left more doubts than certainties and returns with the idea of redeeming himself in the opportunities that Zidane gives him. They still trust him in the club.
TONI RODRIGUEZ (DAILY AS)
Ramos
Matches: 3. 4 Minutes: 3,033 Goals: 7 Assists: 0
Until the break, Ramos was one more season Ramos. With his leadership, his maturity in defense, also with his excesses of confidence (a mistake in his departure from the ball cost Betis 0-1) and with his desire to go on the attack. He is the team's second top scorer with seven goals (tied with Rodrygo), giving continuity to that striker soul that has been exploiting in recent years (in 2018-19 he finished with 11 goals, his best white record). The ‘4’ is a ‘9’. The captain, the second with the most minutes in the squad (surpassed only by Casemiro), ends his contract in 2021 but, as reported by AS, Madrid will offer him one more year. That same year the new Santiago Bernabéu stadium will debut …
Varane
Matches: 33 Minutes: 3,000 Goals: 3 Assists: one
The most regular was behind when the break came. It showed speed to the cut, exit of the ball and solvency. Another of those who make up Zidane's circle of confidence is the third player in minutes. His numbers reflect that we were facing one of his best years: with 75% success in dribbling and 64% of duels won, he beats Ramos for example in aerial clearance (79 to 77) or blocking occasions (20 against to 13). He is only 26 years old, but he is already a seasoned veteran and fourth Madrid captain. Undisputed right now in the team.
Nacho
Matches: 9 Minutes: 641 Goals: 2 Assists: 0
It is not being Nacho's season. The injuries are causing him too much trouble. In October, the internal collateral ligament of his right knee was damaged and he missed 11 games. He did not play the last game before the competition was suspended as he was sick with the flu and in the last week of training before the return he was injured again, this time in the right anterior rectum. You will be at least three weeks off. But it is that when it has been available, Zidane has not given it the space of yesteryear. Despite everything, Nacho does not frown at the coach. In January, when Nacho marked Valladolid, he hugged him after the French insisted that he go upstairs to try …
Marcelo
Matches: 19 Minutes: 1,495 Goals: one Assists: 6
At 32 years old, Marcelo has seen how for the first time after many seasons he has not secured his position. This year, Madrid signed Mendy at the request of Zidane and the Gallic winger has been putting his body in little by little until he has more minutes than the Brazilian. Last summer, Marcelo was 'crushed' to start the preseason in perfect condition but it is increasingly difficult for him to take shape and that has left him 'naked' on more than one occasion when he had to quickly go down to defend after launching himself up . Physical problems have not helped him either. This season he has accumulated up to four casualties due to injury, an unprecedented figure in his career. However, before the break he seemed to be reuniting (the starter in the last four league games) but some inconvenience seemed to cut that escalation. Having forgotten the pains in the biceps femoris, he has been working out with the group since returning to training. With a contract until 2022 (he will be 34 years old), he remains firm: “I don't want to leave.” Despite its lesser role, its behavior is being exemplary. Like a captain. Especially with young people.
Mendy
Matches: 22 Minutes: 1,638 Goals: 0 Assists: 2
He arrived in Madrid last summer from Lyon due to Zidane's express wish and in these first months of adaptation he has justified the club's investment (50 million). Mendy (25 years old) has provided the defensive firmness that Marcelo suffers from, although it is evident that he does not have the imagination and rock & roll in attack of the Brazilian when he is in full swing. For Zidane there is no clear headline on the left side, although Mendy surpasses Marcelo in minutes and his performances against extreme categories have reinforced him. In this final stretch of the season, with many games and little rest, rotations on the left side will be common.
Kroos
Matches: 33 Minutes: 2,702 Goals: 5 Assists: 9
The passing of weeks has calmed the feeling, but just before the break it seemed that something had broken between Kroos and Zidane. The German, always non-negotiable for Zizou, was replaced at the derby break against Atlético, substitute in the first leg of the Champions League against Manchester City (where he did not even warm up) and went back to the bench against Betis when Madrid lost the leadership. “It was the first great game in almost six years in which I was not in the starting eleven. Of course, it bothers me. It would be bad if it wasn't. If this was the point, I think I can say: 'It bothers me, but I had to accept it,' came the midfielder of his substitution against City. The start of the season did not bode well for that rare occasion: it was non-negotiable and, furthermore, a top scorer. In November he already had six goals between Madrid and the national team. But the derby against Atlético and that substitution seemed to modify the scenario for the German international. However, Zidane haggled when asked about his “Kroos case”: “It is imperative.”
TONI RODRIGUEZ (DAILY AS)
Modric
Matches: 30 Minutes: 1,904 Goals: 5 Assists: 5
At 34, Modric is the ninth most used player by Zidane. From less to more, he was key again in more than one match. Even on days when the team skated, such as in the defeat against Betis. At Villamarín he gave himself up and saved a goal almost on the line as he was the only one capable of following Joaquín's counter. The age and emergence of Fede Valverde has pushed Zidane to give him more breaks to keep the Croatian cool in the decisive stage, who, as reported by AS, will fulfill his contract with Real Madrid, which expires in 2021.
Casemiro
Matches: 35 Minutes: 3,120 Goals: 4 Assists: 4
The balance of Madrid and tranquility for Zidane. Since trusting him after a derby back in 2016, the Frenchman has hugged the Brazilian tightly. Not surprisingly, he came to a halt as the player most used by the white coach. The admiration of the coach was evident after winning the Spanish Super Cup in Jeddah. “Come here, you bastard, you are a monster!” She yelled at him as she melted into a hug with him. A fix for these eleven days of the missing League and a pillar to overcome the Champions League tie against City.
Fede Valverde
Matches: 32 Minutes: 2,068 Goals: 2 Assists 4
He finished last season offering a remarkable image, a very profitable player for this Real Madrid. However, this campaign Fede Valverde has uncovered himself as an extraordinary, essential footballer. He is, along with Casemiro, the support of the team. Statistics leave no room for doubt. Madrid only lost two games out of 23 (8%) in which Valverde started and was defeated in four of 16 (25%) in which he was not in eleven, the last against Betis, before stop due to the coronavirus crisis. In addition, with him on the field, the team scores 2.21 goals per game and fits 0.73. Without it, he scores an average of 1.31 and fits 1.37 … The little bird He has strictly followed Dupont and Zidane's plan during the break and returned to the top. Zidane needs him oxygenated and vitaminized to fight the League and not throw in the towel in the Champions League.
Isco
Matches: 2. 3 Minutes: 1,304 Goals: 3 Assists: 0
The suspension of soccer due to the pandemic came with Isco in the infirmary. The man from Malaga missed the last clash against Betis due to low back pain. Until then, it had been an important piece for Zidane, a specialist in recovering the best version of the player. The 2019-20 season began, punished by injuries. A muscle ailment in his right femoral biceps kept him standing for four weeks. Progressively, he regained his place and figure until he was almost non-negotiable again in the great days: starting against PSG at the Bernabéu, in November, in both Clasicos, against Atleti at home, in the semifinal and in the Super Cup final in Jeddah, against City … These months without football have allowed him to fully recover from low back pain and be available to Zizou.
Marco Asensio
Matches: 0 Minutes: 0 Goals: 0 Assists: 0
The Transfer. The return of Marco Asensio to group dynamics, fully recovered from the serious injury he suffered in August and that prevented him from starting the season, is one of the few positive things that Madrid can take from this slowdown in competition. In the second preseason game, against Arsenal, the Majorcan, called to be the third leg of a trident with Benzema and Hazard, broke the anterior cruciate ligament and the external meniscus. The player never lost faith in being able to help the team this season, also with the Eurocup in mind, and that is why he worked intensively and kept on schedule. The break came in handy to catch up with the rest of his teammates and he is already one of the group. His return is a blessing to Zidane.
DAILY AS (DAILY AS)
Hazard
Matches: fifteen Minutes: 1,124 Goals: one Assists: 5
Not only does LaLiga return, so does Hazard. The Belgian is a very different one from March. The decision to stop soccer due to the pandemic came with the player in full recovery from the operation of the fissure in the distal fibula of his right leg to which he was subjected on March 5. These months without competition have been allies of Eden, who has not only recovered from his injury but his fitness has surprised more than one in Valdebebas. “It is like a motorcycle,” they comment at the club. Hazard, galactic signing of this campaign (100 million), has seen how physical problems have marked his first season at Real Madrid. “My first year has been bad,” he came to recognize. The last injury cut the ascending line that he had begun to draw and it seemed that his contest this campaign had ended. But Zidane already has him under his command and he will be important in what we have come to call the new normal. The player sees himself as a starter in the first match against Eibar, although the technician, always cautious, thinks it will start on the bench. Hazard, from the fatality of the injury to being a trump card in the fight for the two titles that remain for Madrid fans to play.
James Rodriguez
Matches: 13 Minutes: 650 Goals: one Assists: 2
He returned to Real Madrid last summer from his loan at Bayern. Zidane put him on the starting ramp, he did not have him and he got to have a foot and a half at Atlético but the very hard defeat against the rojiblancos in preseason (3-7) closed the exit door. The start of the season was hopeful and it seemed that the Colombian was going to be a full-fledged 'signing', but between injuries, bad games and technical decisions he disappeared. He has not played in the league since the bump in Mallorca (1-0) on October 19. In Champions, he last had minutes against Galatasaray on October 22. He was left for the Cup and the elimination against Real predicted a black end of season for James. However, the player has been “reset” in the break and the return of the competition, with the possibility that Zidane make five changes and with meetings every few days, gives him options to regain confidence and minutes.
Benzema
Matches: 36 Minutes: 2,957 Goals: 19 Assists: 9
Benzema returns just as he left, only in the face of danger. The Frenchman is the only ‘9’ in the squad that Zidane trusts, untouchable. And so it will continue to be. Jovic is injured and Mariano does not count for the coach despite his goal at Barça in the four minutes he had in the Clásico on March 1. Karim had a captivating start to the year before the goal (14 goals in 17 games), but gradually dried up (five goals in 17 other games). Not even those periods of drought encouraged Zidane to try another plan: Benzema has started in 93% of the official games played so far in 2019-20; altogether it has disputed 91% of the minutes.
Bale
Matches: 18 Minutes: 1,160 Goals: 3 Assists: 2
Very poor season the one that Bale was curdling in Madrid before the break of the competition happened. Three goals and two assists. The injuries and controversies, however, were not diluted the same. The role played by the Welshman in the return of the competition is unknown. Zidane did not resort to him from the start in the decisive games against City and Barça despite the fact that he could not count on either Hazard or Asensio. Now that the two are back, the Welshman will have to recover his best version if he wants to have minutes. The option for Zidane to make five changes gives him more opportunities to regain lost ground in the old normal.
Lucas Vazquez
Matches: 18 Minutes: 820 Goals: 3 Assists: 2
Lucas Vazquez suffers an overload and will not be in the return of LaLiga against Eibar, but the Galician, without a doubt, is another of the great beneficiaries of the new regulation of the five changes. Regular member of the bench, is almost always a wild card that Zidane pulls. He has played 18 games this year (he missed seven due to injury) and in ten of them he started as a substitute. After five seasons in the first team, some people at the club place the youth squad on the club's exit ramp this summer, but the player hopes to be able to assert the year of his remaining contract with the Whites (ends on June 30, 2021) since his dream is to continue being useful to Zidane's Madrid. In this sense, the staff, headed by the coach, have no complaints about Lucas's disposition, professionalism and work. That is why, when he recovers from his last physical setback, he will have his space again in the games that remain for the whites.
Jovic
Matches: 24 Minutes: 770 Goals: 2 Assists: 2
Luka Jovic, without a doubt, has been one of the protagonists of the break caused by the coronavirus due to his controversies and the injury he suffered at home before starting to train again with the team. His is a mystery. Last season was one of the European sensations at Eintracht (27 goals in 48 games), Madrid spent 60 million on his signing but is still waiting for him. His name has starred in more headlines for his troubles than for his goals (only two in 24 games). In full confinement, the Serb left for his country with permission from the club and after having failed the test, but there he disobeyed government restrictions and his government called him to chapter (publicly asked for forgiveness). To add more fuel to the fire, he injured his foot just before returning to training (according to Serbian media it could have been caused by jumping from a wall at his house in Belgrade) and last week he again angered the club by hanging a photograph on their social networks, in full recovery, celebrating a barbecue with friends including Maksimovic (Getafe) and Saponjic (Atlético). The injury leaves him out of the team in the fight for the League. He does not raise his head.
Vinicius
Matches: 28 Minutes: 1,363 Goals: 4 Assists: 3
After an irregular start with Zidane, he had once again become the hope of Real Madrid. Since February, the Brazilian had gained height and well and Zizou counted on him. He turned to him in the derby break and rescued Madrid (Benzema's 1-0 was born from one of his moves), he was the best in the first leg against City, he paved the way to victory against Barça with 1-0 … The break came when he was better. Now, the resumption of the competition brings him a ‘problem’: Hazard's return. With the Belgian available, many paths are closed to ownership as Zidane sees him in the same location as Hazard, the left. In fact, both have only coincided for 87 minutes on the pitch.
DeFodi Images (Getty Images)
Rodrygo
Matches: twenty-one Minutes: 1,278 Goals: 7 Assists 2
His thing has been a roller coaster. He landed this summer in Madrid after paying 40 million to Santos and in less than a season he has known almost every state. He liked in preseason (goal against Bayern), he was injured at the beginning of the competition, he started at Castilla, he marveled with a goal in his official debut with the first team against Osasuna (“his control is the host, it is half a goal”, Zidane said that September 25), in November he became the youngest player to score a perfect hat-trick (against Galatasaray), but the slump came. Winter seemed to blur him and Vinicius's surprise slowed down to the point that when the break for the COVID-19 came the sock had turned around: he came to play again with Castilla. After a promising start, the slump came. Rodrygo is another of the beneficiaries of the five changes and faces the return of the competition with the deposit of optimism full: “I trained at home during the quarantine, I did all the work possible and everything they asked me to get fit for training. We work hard to give our best when the competition returns and win LaLiga. “
Brahim
Matches: 7 Minutes: 170 Goals: one Assists: one
Brahim's contribution before the break was residual. Only Asensio (who did not start the season due to injury) and Mariano have played less than him. His competition was the Cup, where he played all three games, but the elimination of Madrid foresaw an end to the campaign in ostracism for the young man from Malaga (20 years old). However, as AS reported, he is convinced that it will be important in these final matches. Zidane does like it, but the overbooking at his post closes the space for him. The possibility of making five changes and the accumulation of matches in such a short time give him hope.
Mariano
Matches: 4 Minutes: 65 Goals: one Assists: 0
Irreducible and bloody, Mariano went from being an outlaw for Zidane to playing the last two games before the suspension of the competition and squeezing the minutes that the coach gave him. Against Barça he came out for a minute and scored a goal and against Betis Zizou gave him 20 minutes although, as a fighter as usual, he was not so lucky. Back on the competitive train, the braking came. On his return to training he 'disappeared' a few weeks in Valdebebas due to a mysterious foot injury and, after recovering, this Friday he returned to exercising alone. In principle it will not be available for Zidane in the first match against Eibar. Specialist in riot in the final minutes and when the game goes uphill, the Hispanic Dominican is the only alternative in the squad for Benzema considering that Jovic is injured, although the coach does not have him …