It has been several weeks since Zidane turned the wheel of his strategy betting on a fixed eleven parking the rotations. Specifically, it was in the defeat against Alavés (1-2) on November 28 when I made that decision.
Players like Marcelo, Isco or Vinicius, would not appear again on the board, at least for a while. And he fulfilled. However, in depending on which cases, their decision is surprising. These are the profiles of players like Valverde or Odegaard, perfectly valid players to give respite to the starters and at the same time offer a good level but who are not entering into the coach's plans.
Both accumulate several weeks being available for Zidane but the Frenchman still does not give them a place in his eleven. The Uruguayan, yes, maintains his ranking of fourth midfielder. In Pamplona it was the first change and it is, of the two mentioned, who has the most prominence. But Odegaard, for his part, is relegated to being the team's last midfielder. Even Isco, with one foot off the team, is chosen ahead of the Norwegian. Something that, after being the express request of Zidane, surprises twice as much.
Optimum engine room level
In favor of Zidane, yes, and of the headlines, it should be noted that they are offering an outstanding level in each game and that, therefore, it is very difficult to get them out of the eleven. Both Modric and Kroos are enjoying a second youth and they are the ones who give wings to the team in attack and who also respond in defense.
Thus, it remains to be seen if the accumulation of matches and, therefore, minutes, opens the doors of prominence to Odegaard and Valverde who, despite everything, are called to be the future of the Madrid midfield.