Zidane’s Real Madrid looking like Benitez’s Madrid
Style of Play
The biggest reason for Benitez being sacked was not that the team was not delivering results. It was that the Madridistas across the board didn’t like how they were getting those results. It wouldn’t have mattered had Benitez’s win percentage been better.
The Madrid under Benitez didn’t play like the Royal Whites the world is used to.
Sitting back and defending narrow leads is not in Real Madrid’s DNA. The cry from the Bernabéu stands is always ‘Attack! Attack! Attack’, no matter the stage of the game.
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The team was doing the opposite on the field. They lacked the flair, excitement, and the Midas touch that the fans loved them for. The whistles started soon, even in victories. Benitez didn’t recognize that, and then it was only a matter of time.
It would be harsh to say that Zidane’s style of play is like that of Benitez. In all fairness, Zidane has made Real Madrid play far more attacking and attractive football.
However, Real hasn’t dominated oppositions the way fans demand them to. Most victories have been nervy or not convincing enough for the Bernabéu faithful. The draws have been poor. There are no 5-0 or 6-1 drubbings yet, they have barely managed to get 2 goals per game. The oppositions haven’t been played out of the park, barring the Super Copa maybe. The whistles have started, and the dissatisfaction will grow if such performances continue.
Real Madrid fans react to a goalless first half against Real Betis https://t.co/tO3IUUvMvP pic.twitter.com/JgYMOaluic
— 102 Great Goals (@102greatgoals) September 20, 2017
Zidane said that Madrid is only 5 points behind Barcelona, top of their group in CL and has already won 2 trophies. He said that people seem to have forgotten that. That worries me because he is missing the point here.
The discontent is more deep-seated than that, Zizou! Learn from Benitez’s case, don’t turn a blind eye to what the fans are trying to convey to you.