Three keys to Real Madrid repeating as Champions League winners
By Ben Sundock
Controlling play through the midfield
Real Madrid fan’s complaints throughout this season have centered around the frequent inability of the Los Blancos midfield to link up with the forwards. However, that has not been the case when Isco is included in the starting XI.
With Gareth Bale all but certain to not start tomorrow night in his home country, it will be “the bandy-legged bandit” Isco getting the nod from Zizou. Starting Isco means a change from the usual 4-3-3 we’ve seen Madrid use for the majority of the season.
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Instead, expect to see Isco at his natural center attacking midfielder position, Casemiro at central defensive mid, and Toni Kroos and Luka Modric as left and right mid, in a 4-3-1-2.
This formation should help get the ball out of the defending third, to any of the midfielders except for Casemiro, to then work the ball up to the two strikers, Ronaldo or Benzema.
Isco has become the engine the makes the Real Madrid attack work as of late. His ability to dribble around and through defenders has made him invaluable to the squad, and, with Kroos’ fantastic passing abilities and Modric’s playmaking, Juventus will surely have their hands full when dealing with three very talented midfielders.
This will thus open up the back three of Juve to runs from Benzema who, if he can stay onside, could have some very good chances on goal.
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I have the utmost confidence in Zidane’s coaching ability and the midfielder’s play to get the job done against a very good Juventus team.