Real Madrid: Three big tactical predictions vs. Manchester City
By Parshva Shah
The Midfield Conundrum: 4-4-2, 4-3-3, or 4-5-1?
Manchester City is a team that loves to have the ball at their feet. They will keep as much possession as they can and play slick passes to unnerve the opposition. The main instigators of Pep’s team are Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva, and David Silva. They are the best playmakers on the team. Add players like Sterling and Gabriel Jesus, and you get the deadliest ammunition in the world. These players are at the peak of their powers and to stop them, the battle in the midfield must be won.
A better part of the last decade was glittered by the sheer brilliance of Toni Kroos, the necromancy of Luka Modrić, and the Dunkirk spirit of Casemiro. Real Madrid have never witnessed a better midfield camaraderie in their 118 years of history, not even when Zinedine Zidane, Luis Figo, and David Beckham embellished the football pitch together during the 2000’s.
Against Manchester City, Zidane will have six midfielders at his disposal. That number drops to five if James Rodríguez’s situation is taken into account. At this point, it is doubtful if he will even make the trip to England.
That leaves Zidane with Toni Kroos, Luka Modrić, Casemiro, Fede Valverde, and Isco. With just five pure midfielders, the chances of going with a 4-5-1 formation are negligible. The two formations Zidane could use are 4-3-3 and 4-4-2 diamond formation (or 4-1-2-1-2 as many like to call it).
Casemiro is the only player who is destined to start. He is the only defensive midfielder in the squad, and probably the most important player for Zidane from a purely tactical standpoint.
Kroos was benched in the first leg, and Real Madrid paid the price for it as City’s midfield overran Real’s midfield in a few moments of madness. Kroos will be paramount to Zidane’s plans as he is a vital cog in the midfield and has the ability to funnel possession seamlessly. Kroos joins Casemiro as the midfielder set to start.
If Zidane goes with 4-3-3, Isco is automatically out of contention. The third slot in the midfield would be filled in by either Modrić or Valverde. Let’s not forget that Los Blancos will look to attack from the word go and implement a banzai charge as they are chasing the game and would want to overturn the deficit as early as possible. Modrić fits the bill in such a scenario, and it would actually make more sense to start the Croatian over Valverde as Real could really use the charisma and exuberance of the little magician.
Valverde could come on in the second half when Real would have (hopefully) achieved a two-goal cushion. He can contribute equally on both sides of the pitch, and that would be especially useful to contain the likes of Oleksandr Zinchenko and Raheem Sterling, who possess tenacity and speed.
If Zidane goes with the 4-4-2 diamond formation, Valverde should start in central midfield with Isco as the team’s chief operator between the lines. One might say that Modrić should start in midfield if a 4-4-2 formation is deployed so that there’s more flair on the pitch. However, that would result in Modrić doubling up with Carvajal. At almost 35, Modrić shouldn’t be subjected to defensive duties as his strength lies in moving the ball higher up the pitch.
Valverde brings versatility on the pitch unlike any other midfielder on the roster. He could play as a hybrid right winger to deceive bamboozle the opposition defence. In my opinion though, it would make more sense if Zidane chooses his preferred 4-3-3 position, but don’t be surprised if Isco starts at the tip of the midfield diamond. After all, he opened the scoring in the first leg.