Tactical analysis from Real Madrid’s win over Bayern Munich
The substitutions
Ah yes, the substitutions. What Zidane did put a smile on my face while watching the match. He knows who to bring on at what times and has the confidence in his team to produce results.
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The first substitution of the match was Asensio on for Isco. It’s not to say Isco played badly, but Zidane desperately needed to liven up our team and try something new. These ideas came to fruition when they caught Bayern on the counter after Rafinha’s mistake with a lethal attack from Vazquez and Asensio in the 57th minute, making it 2-1.
The next major substitution was when Carvajal got injured around the 65th minute. Zidane weighed his options and decided to push Vazquez to right back and bring on Benzema as a right-winger. It turned out to be a wonderful decision because Vazquez was able to tighten up the defense and hold his own, proving how important he is to the team.
Benzema looked hungry for goal too. He came close to a goal after a great run past the Bayern defenders but wasn’t able to slip the ball under Ulreich’s legs.
The final substitution was Kovacic for Casemiro in the 83rd minute. Bringing Kovacic on wrapped everything up. His fresh legs brought new life into the midfield and gave the team its final energy to close off the match in the dying minutes.
Closing Thoughts
Zidane’s tactical choices held the team together during this match. The transition from a 4-3-3 to a 4-4-2 was a key moment. Additionally bringing on the right people to win the match was even more important. The team work rates and positioning allowed them to collectively overcome Bayern.
Next: Player Ratings from Bayern 1 - 2 Real Madrid
Although the team didn’t play the best match, their experience and determination showed throughout. Only a team like Real Madrid can have the resilience and mindset to overturn challenges such as these so consistently.
There is still one more leg to play, but with the support of the fans and the faith of the team, they already have one foot in the final.