Real Madrid: The best formation to take against Bayern Munich in the second-leg
Real Madrid will take on Bayern Munich Tuesday for the second-leg of the Champions League semifinals. Los Blancos were able to withhold the pressure and leave with a crucial 2-1 win in the first-leg. Here, we’ll analyze what formation manager Zinedine Zidane will use to put the team through to the finals.
The 4-4-2
Similarly to the first-leg, the formation chosen will be the key to the success of the team. Real Madrid is playing a Bayern team that is trying to make reparations for the first leg such as Juventus did when they played Real Madrid in Spain.
Zidane will most likely not be looking to experiment in this match. He will be trying to close off the game as quickly as possible, leaving little to fate. Zizou will look to play a 4-4-2 formation that will help the team tremendously in defense.
With the 4-4-2, we will most likely see the partnership of Benzema and Ronaldo up top again, due to how isolated Ronaldo was in the first-leg. Behind the front two will be a midfield of Modric, Kroos, Casemiro, and Lucas Vazquez. Finally in defense we see Marcelo, Ramos, Varane, and a hopefully fit Nacho who is returning from injury. The lineup will be in addition to Navas in net.
However, there is a good chance that Nacho will not be match ready. Nacho’s injury misfortune means that Zidane could play a hardworking Vazquez at right back and put Gareth Bale in his natural position of right midfield.
The 4-4-2 will allow for solid coverage of the defensive line so as to not concede the type of goal seen in the first leg. Additionally, with Ronaldo and Benzema up top, the combination of the two will get the goals needed to win.
The 4-3-3
Zidane’s ability to switch tactics have been proven very useful throughout the second half of the season. It’s reassuring to know that if anything doesn’t go to plan, the team has the ability to switch players and formations to win games.
There is a probability that the 4-4-2 may not work entirely throughout the match. If the 4-4-2 doesn’t work, Zidane will revert to a 4-3-3 formation that will put out an all out attack on the Bayern defense.
Next: Real Madrid vs. Bayern Munich: Match preview
With the 4-3-3, we’ll see the original trio of Benzema, Bale, and Ronaldo. The front three will be followed by Casemiro, Kroos, and Modric. Then in defense we will see Marcelo, Varane, Ramos, and Vazquez, with Keylor Navas in net.
The 4-3-3 will allow for the utilization of the firepower up front and will be necessary in grabbing late goals if needed. Zizou also has the reinforcements on the bench to bring this formation to life with youngsters like Mateo Kovacic, Marcos Llorente, and Borja Mayoral on the bench.
The team has the momentum and support of the home fans going into this final leg. The ball is in Real Madrid’s court to win this match. With a possible third Champion’s League title in a row looming closer, the team will put everything on the line.