Real Madrid: Zinedine Zidane saved by his executives: a classic… until when?

On December 25, the Eurosport editorial staff distributed their Christmas gifts to the gratin of European clubs. And an anti-aging cream has been placed under Zinedine Zidane’s tree. An anti-aging cream which, as its name suggests, aims to preserve Madrid’s executives. Since they have come to the aid of their trainer once.

Because at the beginning of December, ZZ was more than threatened. But his captains have taken matters into their own hands, on and off the field. In the locker room first where, according to Brand, Madrid executives would have taken the lead with their coach during a meeting. The Spanish newspaper claimed that after the defeat to Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League, some players including Sergio Ramos, Karim Benzema and Luka Modric have asked Zidane to put together a typical squad and stick to it. A meeting that would have borne fruit since Real Madrid have won all their matches since.

Tuesday, on the eve of facing Elche on behalf of the 16th day of La Liga, the French coach denied this information. “It doesn’t happen here. I am the coach and I decide with my staff. The players don’t get involved in these things. What they want, I’m sure, is to win matchesZidane said. Coincidence or not, Casemiro, Kroos and Modric had never been lined up together in the middle before Matchday 11 of La Liga. Since the supposed meeting referred to by Brand, the trio have started four of Madrid’s six meetings in the midfield.

If there is therefore any doubt about the intervention of the executives with ZZ, one thing is certain: they intervened in the field. Sergio Ramos, Luka Modric and especially Karim Benzema embodied the awakening of the Merengue with very high level performances, in the league and in the Champions League. Since the famous defeat against Shakhtar Donetsk, the Merengue remain on six victories in six games in all competitions. They have, in addition to having finished in first place in their group in C1, glued to Atlético at the top of the La Liga standings, with two matches in advance.

This burst of pride from Madrid executives must delight Zinedine Zidane. But he has limits. Because the executives of this Real are not eternal. The three strong men of this month of December on the Madrid side, namely Benzema, Ramos and Modric, are 33, 34 and 35 years old respectively. Even if they continue to demonstrate that they are still and always very high level players, they will not be able to save their coach indefinitely.

This observation also has the merit of calling into question the Madrid recruitment of recent seasons. Real’s strategy, namely to bet on young players to take up the torch of the players mentioned above, takes a long (too much?) Time to put in place. Young players recruited during the last three summer mercatos, such as Luka Jovic, Eder Militao, Rodrygo or even Vinicius do not yet provide the hoped-for guarantees. Proof that the succession is not yet fully assured.

Bad at the beginning of December, Real got back on the right track. Against Elche, the Merengues should end the year 2020 well and sign a seventh consecutive success. Before facing new challenges in 2021. Given their current form, Zidane knows he can count on his captains next year. But until when… ?