Zidane and Real Madrid must stick to their strengths

Do Real Madrid already have the answer to their problems?

Zidane’s critics over the last couple of seasons have cited his lack of tactical expertise as his greatness weakness. Barring his role as Carlo Ancelotti’s assistant in the 2013/14 season, the Frenchman had no managerial exposure to top-flight football before he took charge of Real Madrid. The simplistic approach that accompanied him to the club, however, has also proven to be his most valuable asset.

The most renowned tacticians in Europe have warmed the Madrid dugout and fallen to the infamous merry-go-round. Some excelled in the dressing room, while others did so on the pitch – but none could tame the Bernabéu like one of its own. Zizou restored a sense of composure unlike any of his recent predecessors and brought out the absolute best in his players. His willingness to rotate was appreciated by his entire squad, and his commanding playing style worked wonders.

As of late, all of the aforementioned progress has been lost. Individual performances have dipped, team cohesion is often non-existent, and injuries have further iced this wretched cake. And while much of the criticism must be aimed at the players, Zidane must also accept his role in this ‘crisis’.

Experimenting against Barcelona was arguably the most prominent example of his poor decision-making in recent months. With Kovacic played in an unfamiliar role, having just returned from a lengthy lay-off, Real Madrid seemingly imploded. There was no structure, and more importantly, no fluidity.

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The odd managerial error, of course, is excusable – especially given what Los Blancos have achieved in the last two seasons. A lack of consistency, however, is not. The set-up that previously produced remarkable results has been abandoned and the reasoning behind it is unclear. To make matters worse, rotations have been kept to a minimum.

A depleted squad has played a big part, but the club now boasts a clean bill of health. This is a luxury Zidane must exploit in the weeks to come, and one that could potentially lure his side back to the path of success.

A seemingly insurmountable lead in the title race may also play into Madrid’s favour, as the pressure will be dialled down on the domestic front. This could be the perfect opportunity for the French maestro to recharge his juggernaut, and the tools he requires are at his disposal. A return to the hugely successful 4-3-3, along with more faith in his fringe players, should be the driving force behind a potential resurgence.

Next: Real Madrid's title hopes are over

Reinforcements over the winter are also a possibility, but the fundamentals of his team will remain unchanged. Ultimately, there is one way for Zidane and his men to salvage their season – and it involves sticking to what they know best.