Real Madrid: Four takeaways from a 3-0 win over Cadiz

The back three pays dividends

Ever since Zinedine Zidane first used the back three a couple of months ago against Getafe, Real Madrid have found success with this setup. They defeated Atalanta 3-1 in the Champions League with a back three, and now they can count their 3-0 win over Cadiz as their latest success with this formation.

Nacho Fernandez, Eder Militao, and the returning Raphael Varane started in a back three before the formation shifted again to accommodate a returning Dani Carvajal.

The back three gave Real defensive solidity with these excellent center backs, but, more importantly, it enabled Real to avoid playing Marcelo and Alvaro Odriozola as fullbacks in a back four. Both players were awful, again, this weekend against Getafe, but they played well at Cadiz.

Marcelo actually led the team with five tackles, as he is a more positive defensive presence when he is winning the ball high up the pitch as opposed to defending and covering. Meanwhile, Odriozola scored a rare goal, heading an easy one created by Karim Benzema.

Real Madrid were not threatened by Cadiz in this one, and their tactical setup enabled them to play free-flowing attacking football in a three-goal first half without sacrificing any defensive stability. Good stuff, Zizou.