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Analysis thread - a deeper look at how Zidane's tactics allowed Real Madrid to dominate the 1st leg vs Liverpool
Although off-the-ball,Zidane set-up in his classic 4-3-3, his structure differed on-the-ball
•Mendy bombing on,Nacho moving wider & Vázquez deeper
•Kroos switching with Casemiro as the DM
•VinĂcius as the most advanced attackers
We will talk about the impact of each of these
•Mendy bombing on,Nacho moving wider & Vázquez deeper
•Kroos switching with Casemiro as the DM
•VinĂcius as the most advanced attackers
We will talk about the impact of each of these
Phase 1 - the 1st half
• Real Madrid didn’t engage in a collective high press but did ensure that there was often high pressure on Liverpool’s midfield when they received the ball
this forced errors from LFC’s midfield on-the-ball (although some errors were unforced)
• Real Madrid didn’t engage in a collective high press but did ensure that there was often high pressure on Liverpool’s midfield when they received the ball
this forced errors from LFC’s midfield on-the-ball (although some errors were unforced)
•Real Madrid’s build-up would often have Lucas Vázquez positioned deeper but very wide at RB, then Nacho positioned wider as the left-sided CB this left Mendy free to create 2v1s with VinĂcius vs Trent
•The wide set-up of Vázquez & Nacho stretched the press of LFC's front 3
this left Mendy free to create 2v1s with VinĂcius vs Trent•The wide set-up of Vázquez & Nacho stretched the press of LFC's front 3
•This tactical ploy was facilitated by some of Naby Keïta's defensive work - something we have talked about here. And a reason why he was taken off in the first half. https://twitter.com/PremLeaguePanel/status/1379765774865289221?s=20
• Zidane also often flipped his midfield triangle with Kroos stepping into Casemiro’s deep-lying role during the build-up
• Often Kroos would just pass it short to Casemiro ahead of him purely to attract LFC's pressure then receive it back off him in more time & space
• Often Kroos would just pass it short to Casemiro ahead of him purely to attract LFC's pressure then receive it back off him in more time & space
• With LFC’s front 3 stretched & not pressing well - Kroos had time & spacelong direct balls in-behind for VinĂcius - also made more accessible with Mendy creating the 2v1s vs Trent talked about previously (Zidane knew Phillips was out of his depth & couldn't cover those runs)
long direct balls in-behind for VinĂcius - also made more accessible with Mendy creating the 2v1s vs Trent talked about previously (Zidane knew Phillips was out of his depth & couldn't cover those runs)
Phase 2 - control phase (after LFC’s goal)
•Zidane responded by switching his direct build-up to a shorter style - helped Real keep possession & seize LFC's momentum
•Benzema dropped deep
•Kroos & Modric focussed on horizontal ball circulation and switching play to the flanks
•Zidane responded by switching his direct build-up to a shorter style - helped Real keep possession & seize LFC's momentum
•Benzema dropped deep
•Kroos & Modric focussed on horizontal ball circulation and switching play to the flanks
Phase 3 - compact low block
• On 70 mins,Zidane subbed on Valverde on the right wing for Asensio
• He often acted as a second right-back helping Vázquez with his defensive duties
• LFC had more time & space on the ball in central areas but were faced with an impenetrable wall
• On 70 mins,Zidane subbed on Valverde on the right wing for Asensio
• He often acted as a second right-back helping Vázquez with his defensive duties
• LFC had more time & space on the ball in central areas but were faced with an impenetrable wall
Retweets of the original post in the thread much appreciated if you enjoyed reading it. And any feedback always welcome. Thanks 
