Injury-free BBC may hold the key to Real Madrid’s season…
It had been a long wait for Real Madrid in their quest for La Decima. A noticeable improvement had been made under Jose Mourinho after decades of underwhelming performance on the European stage – but the club always seemed to falter at the final hurdle. Multiple semi-final failures had generated an almost mythical aura around the coveted title.
The big-money arrival of Gareth Bale at the beginning of the 2013/14 season had been criticised by many, especially due to Mesut Özil’s make-weight departure. Carlo Ancelotti, however, saw the potential for something more. His experimentation with a 4-3-3 system yielded remarkable results and the fearsome triumvirate of Bale, Benzema, and Ronaldo was at the forefront.
Big-game performances were no longer a concern for the side, who made a habit of turning up when it mattered most. The season ended with an incredible turnaround in the Champions League final against fierce rivals Atlético Madrid – with the club seemingly entering a new era of dominance. Success was left in the hands of the club’s superstar forwards, and few would have bet against them to deliver.
Injuries proved to be a hindrance in the development of the BBC’s attacking play, and while Real Madrid still managed to cope with their individual absences, there was no denying they had more to offer. With the passage of time, questions appeared over the longevity of such a line-up. Gareth Bale, in particular, was criticised for missing countless games through injury lay-offs.
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The club adapted accordingly, and the rebirth of Isco in a more advanced role paid dividends. Last year’s trophy haul was testament to the efficacy of the change. Now, the situation is different. Isco is struggling to reproduce the form that made him an undisputed starter for the team, and Zidane seems to be warming up to the idea of reviving past formulae.
With the trio currently boasting a clean bill of health, the logical choice would be to utilise their abilities in tandem. Star-power is an invaluable asset, and their performances could ultimately salvage what’s left of the season. Moreover, the clouds lurking over their future could also be temporarily dispersed if they’re capable of producing in such testing circumstances.
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Solutions have to come from somewhere, and recent performances have shown that Zidane may already possess the resources to rejuvenate his side. And if Real Madrid can muster up a couple of positive results before the crucial PSG tie, there may be hope just yet…