Zidane introducing a “PSG Plan” in training for Real Madrid
By Alex McVey
With La Liga and Copa del Rey now firmly out of the picture, Real Madrid have turned their attention to the Champions League, as Zidane prepares a PSG Plan.
As are reporting that Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane has began to implement a plan for handling PSG in the Champions League. After Madrid’s shock exit from the Copa del Rey and their embarrassing start to the La Liga campaign, the Champions League is basically Madrid’s only real shot at a trophy this season. To accomplish that feat, they first have to get past PSG.
PSG have been high-flying this season, demonstrating some simply terrifying attacking football. The additions of last season’s breakout star Kylian Mbappé and ex-Barcelona superstar Neymar indicate a PSG that has thrown down the gauntlet in an attempt to win the Champions League. After having been scorn in that competition last season by giving away a massive lead in the second leg to FC Barcelona in the round of 16.
Real Madrid, on the other hand, have largely looked lethargic and out of ideas. Despite a few flashes of brilliance here and there, Real Madrid have not looked anywhere close to a team capable of defeating the Parisians. But with the wind in their sails from a crucial 4-1 away victory against Valencia, Real Madrid now have a bit of positive momentum to try to build on.
Key to Zidane’s “PSG plan,” As suggests, is a return to fitness. With notorious fitness coach Antonio Pintus at his side, Zidane is working to try to get Madrid’s players into peak fighting shape to give themselves the best possible chance against PSG. Madrid’s players will undergo a mini-preseason with Pintus to try to ramp up their conditioning for the tail end of the season. This is something of a tradition for Zidane, who has previously worked with Madrid to provide a training reset after the new year in an attempt to stave off a late-season decline.
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While it’s good to see Zidane trying to be proactive in his approach to PSG, I do worry that this is all too-little, too-late. Real Madrid’s players have looked exhausted this whole season, something that could be behind their poor performances. A heavy emphasis on fitness could backfire if it means that Madrid’s players are failing to receive adequate rest.