Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane says that Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo deserve respect but they are not guaranteed to start every game.
Benzema’s injury saw Zidane shift to 4-4-2 as playmaker Isco starred in Saturday’s 3-0 win at Atletico Madrid, which appeared to back up the worries of some fans and pundits who feel playing all three attackers unbalances the team tactically.
Fit again Benzema is likely to return for Tuesday’s Champions League clash at Sporting Lisbon, with either Isco or Lucas Vazquez returning to the bench, but Zidane told his prematch news conference that he generally picks his big name forwards as they deserve it.
“It’s not that they are untouchable, it’s that they are the best players on account of what they’ve done,” Zidane said. “They are great players, like the others, but a little bit more.
“They’ll get more playing time than the rest of the squad, but the others will also get their share of minutes.”
Bale usually plays on the right when Madrid use a 4-3-3 formation, but against Atletico he returned to the left-sided position he had mostly played at former club Tottenham. Zidane said he was happy with the Wales international’s versatility, without giving any pointers to future tactical plans.
“[Bale] started his career out on the left wing and he was a great player in that position,” he said. “He’s capable of playing in many roles and given his shooting ability, he can also play on the right.
“We’ll have to see where he lines up, but he played really well in the derby and sent in some dangerous crosses and did well on the third goal. We know that he’s got a lot to give in that position.”
Isco was the game’s most influential player at the Calderon, playing in a No. 10 role which does not exist when the Bale, Benzema and Ronaldo all start in a 4-3-3.
“[Isco’s] best position is No. 10,” Zidane added. “That’s where he’s most comfortable. But he’s capable of playing anywhere on the pitch. He’s doing a superb job.”
The manager suggested, for the first time since taking over in January, that he chooses his tactics and XI based on the opponents.
“When I send my team out I do so to try and win that particular game,” he said. “We study the opposition and they also look at us. According to the information we gather, we do certain things defensively and others in attacking areas.
“I believe that I’ve got the best players and setting them up in one particular way or another doesn’t alter anything. Against Atletico, it was the first time we’d used that system. But our idea is always the same, regardless of the formation, it’s for everyone to give everything.”
Benzema’s potential return to the team, and its likely knock-on tactical effects, were the subject of a fans poll on AS.com — which found that just 16 percent of more than 5,000 respondents wanted the former Lyon No. 9 back in the starting line-up.
src: today.ng
