Zinedine Zidane’s credited with the famous quote that his attacking frontline was ‘non-negotiable’ when asked the question back in January. The Frenchman have managed the trio to trophy-laden years including a back to back success in the European Premier Competition as well as league domination last season.
However the French boss have recently moved away from the quote as he has recently discovered that Marco Asensio and Lucas Vazquez might actually be the solution to Madrid’s woes the season as the pair continue to offer different alternatives for Zidane.
It’s no news that the pair’s introduction against PSG in the first leg of the Champions league knockout was the turning point in the game as Marco Asensio was directly involved in the two crucial goals. The Spanish internationals cross down the left flank was saved by Areola with Ronaldo kneeing in the second goal. The Spaniard also provided an assist for the Marcelo’s vital third with a low drive pass down the left flank.
Zidane have been sacrificing one of his front-men to accommodate the pair as the two provide option especially in a tweak of formation and play. The Frenchman began using a 4-4-2 formation to incorporate Isco when Gareth Bale was out. However the side struggled to blend with the formation forcing Zidane to revert back to the conventionally 4-3-3. The Frenchman have intentionally refused to field his preferred attacking trio in recent matches with Gareth Bale being sacrificed against PSG and Benzema dropped at the game against Real Betis last week. Such a role for the high profile players was previously unheard of under Zidane and the fact that the coach is being convince to try out something new.
The big one for Zidane will be the reverse fixture of Champions League game in Paris on March 6. The second leg tie might eventual decide the future for BBC as the Madrid boss will be making a crucial decision on whether to stick with his experienced trio of Benzema, Ronaldo and Bale in a 4-3-3 or the new tweak of 4-4-2 involving Marco Asensio and Lucas Vasquez.