Real Madrid vs. Manchester City: 5 burning questions before Champions League match

3. What formation do you think Zidane will go with?

Ali Al-Hassan

Zidane always likes to mix things up when you least expect it. However, I don’t see him changing his more usual 4-3-3 formation. A 4-5-1 could work but it would limit them going forward against a team like Manchester City. I think the safest assumption would be a 4-3-3 and if we have a fully fit Hazard and Benzema at his best as well, a lot of damage can be done when going forward.

Kevin Parvizi

I think Zidane will go with his diamond formation and play midfield heavy in an effort to match Guardiola strength-for-strength. This will be a mistake, since it’ll leave Real stagnant and struggling to generate offense, much like in the first half of the last Derbi. Zidane will adjust at the half, and that can end up helping Real Madrid more than starting with a 4-3-3.

Hasan Karim

I think Zidane will go with the 4-3-3 with Ferland at left-back, Fede in midfield alongside Kroos and Casemiro. I think this will combat City well and will be best for the attacking side of the game too.

Nithanth Ravindran

Zidane’s preferred formation for the big games has always been the 4-4-2 diamond(4-3-1-2) with Isco and that will be formation he’ll most probably go for in this tie. He loves dominating the midfield and the diamond helps him achieve that. Of course, City has looked vulnerable on counters in the Premier League this season so Zidane might end up using a formation conducive to counter-attacking football.

Rahul Desai

4-4-2. We win in that formation.

Yasheel Vyas

As much as I want Zinedine Zidane to go for a 4-3-3 against Manchester City it is surely going to be a 4-4-2 diamond which is Zidane’s preferred formation in big games. Zidane loves to use Isco in a free role and with Hazard injured Zidane will surely look forward to Isco for creating goals and dominating the midfield.