Zidane part 2

I wonder how he is going to handle the delicate situations in the coming weeks; from Isco to Marcelo to Navas to the infights. It's going to be difficult but if there's anyone who can handle a team of big personalities it's ZZ.

Anyone watching the presser. Look how happy Perez is ffs

Thanks for the replies, just one question about the financial situation of Flo and Real now? Is it less now or still like huge amount of money can be spent on players or even have a Galaticos v.3?

BarcaLearning wrote:Didnt know that, so if even Zidane is in the opinion for Bale, then it is really the players problem. I always thought Bale was doing well until recently... dunno what it is, he came across as a hard working player and decisive in the big moment...

Not sure also but the names like Hazard being talked about just doesnt seem all that. If Real landed Mbappe I really think they are in a great position up front. Real is known to get whoever they want so u never know. Wouldnt be surprised, the way PSG keeps failing in the CL and obviously their league is too easy, if Mbappe really wants to challenge himself and Real can tempt him and buy PSG with money, then Real would have the 2 best young players on the planet?

He's definitely been good, or at the very least, decisive, in some of the big matches he's played in, but he's been largely inconsistent and unreliable, overall. Maybe things would've been different if he didn't spend large periods of time on the treatment table every season, but there's still the issue of him feeling entitled to start, regardless of how poorly he performs.

Bale's 29. Normally, I wouldn't be too bothered about someone like him declining with age so soon, as both he and Ramos are known for their athleticism, however it seems that Bale has lost a substantial amount of his explosive pace, and that's a problem when your game is so based around that particular attribute. C. Ronaldo adapted as well as you could expect to life without exceptional pace. I wouldn't bet any money on Bale being capable of doing the same thing. I doubt we'll get Mbappe anytime soon, as we would have to blow our entire transfer budget on him, unless we see a scenario where he's so desperate to join us that he's willing to force his way out, and the asking price down. Highly unlikely.

Unlike Solari ZZ doesn't hold grudges. I expect Ceballos to be in the mix next season no doubt about that. If you don't play it's because he doesn't rate you, alot of it was wrong last season but hopefully he's changed. Llorente, Ceballos, Reguillon and Vinicious should be within touches of the starting line up next season.

Besides what Ceballos said wasn't even that bad, nothing Isco hasn't said whenever he goes on Spain duties and he was a starter. Bale on the other hand

Didn't expect him back so soon... unlike pep, it seems Zidane isn't afraid of putting his reputation on the line. could have easily went to another club.

Very pleased to see him return. hopefully Florentino has learned his lesson to not mess with Zidane's plans moving forward.

Looks like I have something to look forward to after all.

Wonder what formation/XI ZZ puts out next season


I just realised, with ZZ in charge we are probably never going to bench the regulars. They need to be moved in the summer for him to be able to play the ones he wants

Marcelo for example can't just come straight into the line up after the season he's had. Kroos too needs to see some bench time. Bale needs to be gone

This is going to be his biggest challenge, even more than when we were a disaster under Benitez. Unlike then, alot of our players are done at the highest and have nothing more to give

Turok_TTZ wrote:Didn't expect him back so soon... unlike pep, it seems Zidane isn't afraid of putting his reputation on the line. could have easily went to another club.

Which club would that be? None of the top clubs are currently hiring, except Chelsea and maybe Bayern. Now, that would have been putting his reputation on the line. I doubt he'd get anywhere near the same transfer budget, as well. I suppose there was speculation surrounding who would take over at Man United, up until recently, but Ole seems to have the job on lockdown at this point. After the comeback against PSG, it's incredibly unlikely that they have anyone else in mind.

sportsczy wrote:yeah i think it's on Ceballos here. If he goes to ZZ and apologizes for the public remarks but not the content (he would be really disingenuous otherwise).... that's fine.

But I don't think ZZ rates Ceballos. Frankly, I'm on the fence too. He has skills... but what are those skills producing or intend to produce? He's not a AM or winger. He can't play deep as a CM. He can only play as an advanced CM... but he hasn't shown the ability to make the final pass consistently or be a threat.

He's like a lesser version of Borja to me. Borja, to his credit, eventually became a dangerous player. Ceballos needs to evolve. I don't think Madrid is the place for that.

Naw, I don't agree Sports. Sure Ceballos came in with some expectations that Zidane wouldn't give and it was a rough year for him. But he has played well not only for Madrid but also for NT. He actually played so well at NT, he was in consideration for starter over Thiago!!! Since then (Solari) his opportunities have been reduced but he does play with enthusiasm and energy. Only poor games have been when they put him in at DM and last week at AM.

I feel Zidane doesn't hold grudges and goes by what he sees.

Similarly Llorente broke thru this season and I feel Zidane will recognize that as well. In other words, I don't expect either of them to be starters, but they now have enough experience to be consider backups that can be deployed.

I also hope Zidane uses his entire team, much like he did with Morata and Co.

As I said in another thread, I think the more difficult decisions for Zidane will be choosing which 3 of Asensio, Isco, Vinicius, Rodrygo, Brahim remain and what to do with Marcelo, Kroos and Modric!

Here’s the Zidane part 2 team, assuming no budget limitations!!

First Team:

Second team:

Ultility forward - Lucas (season may start off with Rodrygo in this role)
Practice Portero - Zidane


Note, I present this with tongue in my cheek! Obviously there are some assumption  to this.

1. Budget available to buy Newmar, Mbappe, Eriksen, Ndomebele, Mendy and Hazard
 (That’s 300M reported plus proceeds from sales of Bale, Modric, Marcelo, Kroos, Benzema, James and Odegaard)

2. Assumes all 6 above are available.

3. Zidane decides best to part with Bale, Benz, Modric, Kroos and Marcelo, given the 6 above coming in.

4. Zidane decides Isco and Asensio are salvageable.

5. Zidane decides Ceballos, Llorente and / or Fede are worth retaining as backups.