Real Madrid: The strongest XI Zinedine Zidane must deploy
By Parshva Shah
Midfield
Casemiro (Defensive Midfielder)
After Marcos Llorente’s sale to cross-city rivals Atlético Madrid last summer, Casemiro was the only natural holding midfielder at Zidane’s disposal.
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Regardless, the Brazilian ‘destroyer’ is enjoying his best season in terms of performance and consistency, and has become a very pivotal figure in the dressing room.
Casemiro is the backbone of not only Real Madrid’s midfield, but the entire starting XI. Much of Real’s results will likely depend of how good or bad Casemiro performs.
Toni Kroos (Central Midfielder)
Much like almost every other member of Real’s 2018-19 campaign, Toni Kroos has recovered after a disastrous season and has reinstated his position as one of the best central midfielders in Europe.
He has upped his scoring ante as well. His shooting numbers have increased and so have his goals – he has already scored five goals this season, equalling his highest goalscoring season (five goals in 2017-18).
He is one of Zidane’s most trusted men and he will be expected to restore that faith by helping Real during the remainder of the LaLiga season.
Federico Valverde (Central Midfielder)
It would be safe to say that Zinedine Zidane has found his Paul Pogba in Fede Valverde. The Uruguayan wonderkid has proved to be an indispensable figure at just 21 years of age.
He brings the X-factor to Real Madrid’s midfield and adds an extra dimension to a midfield that lacks depth this season. Real haven’t lost in LaLiga whenever Valverde has started, which just goes far to show that he is a vital cog in Real’s engine. Simply put, he is undroppable.