Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane has heaped praise on his side after their rampant 3-1 victory over Valencia in the Supercopa de España semi final, insisting that it was his midfielders that made the difference.
Zidane usually prefers to select a three or four man midfield at Real Madrid, however he decided to switch things up in his side’s Supercopa de España tie against Valencia, with five in the centre of the park.
It proved to be a tactical masterstroke, as Los Blancos ran out as dominant victors in Saudi Arabia, with all three goals coming from midfielders
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Speaking to Marca, Zidane stated: “We could have played with wingers but I decided for Isco and Luka [Modric] to do more inside. The most important thing was the pressure high up and playing football well. We wanted to hurt the opponent from the beginning. We interpreted everything well.”
The Frenchman, formerly a Madrid midfielder himself, then went on to discuss Isco’s return to form as he scored his first goal of the season.
“I have no role in Isco’s recovery, I’m just glad about it. He has personality and wants to play. He doesn’t shy away from responsibility.”
Toni Kroos’s ludicrous goal directly from a corner opened the scoring for Madrid before Luka Modric finished brilliantly with the outside of his boot to secure the victory just after the hour mark. No wonder Zidane was so impressed with his midfield stars.
One man who hasn’t been as successful recently, though, is striker Luka Jovic, who signed for the club from Eintracht Frankfurt in the summer. Despite the fact he failed to score, Zidane insisted the Serbian had a good game.
“He played a good game even if he didn’t score. He worked a lot, it is not easy when you don’t play a lot because there is a difference in level. He gave everything on the pitch.”
