Real Madrid cruised to an emphatic win against Basque country club Deportivo Alaves at Mendizorroza. Los Blancos lined up under David Bettoni due to Zinedine Zidane testing positive for the coronavirus. There were doubts about how the game would go for Madrid given the poor form they find themselves in. Not to forget that Alaves came out on top the last time we played against them in the league in November.
However, Alaves didn’t look like a tough challenge since the word go. Abelardo Fernandez fielded a high defensive line, left too much space between his lines, and pressed very high in the attacking third. Luka Modric and Toni Kroos played through the press with ease and kept picking runners through their long-range passing. Alaves, expected to field a low block, instead did the opposite, and Real sailed through without any obstacles.
The seniors delivered. It was great to see them do well in favourable conditions. However, there is very little that one should read from their performances. This team is yet with a lot of issues circling them. I take a look at three things I feel Zidane needs to fix. These issues are what I think is holding Los Blancos back.