Zidane wanted Pogba as a central figure in the rebuild but Madrid faffed around with other targets first thinking Pogba would be the least of their worries. Come the last week of the window they realised we weren't going to sell on the cheap and neither did we want Bale nor James so they offered Zidane Eriksen instead, a player he's not interested in.Is there any cliffs notes on what exactly has gone wrong this summer for Madrid? Everyone was salivating themselves over how well run their "rebuild" was early in the summer.
They still don't have Ronaldo.Is there any cliffs notes on what exactly has gone wrong this summer for Madrid?
This.Pogba just an excuse, Real Madrid have a very good squad.
Zidane is tactility inept, always has been. He's great with the players and they respect him. Was using Rafa's system for first spell...
If he's near to bailing out already.., it's because he doesn't have the tactical nous to build a new system with the players available.
They've been really poor in pre season.
I dont see what problems they have tbh. 'Making do' with modric or james isn't the worst thing in the world. They can probably get Pogba next season. Fair enough keeping up with a Barcelona thats added Griezmann, De Jong and possibly Neymar isn't going to happen. But thats more of a goalscoring issue and adding Jovic and Hazard is as good as you can hope for really isn't it? I'd say they'd be in more for Neymar if adding him didn't feck Zidane off. Theres enough talent in the team he has to have a decent season thoughI don't really see how Pogba solves their problems. He seems like a convenient excuse for Zidane to deflect blame more than anything.
In the preseason they have not played well and the signings have not been able to shine, Jovic, Hazard or Mendy, who was injured after the first game.Is there any cliffs notes on what exactly has gone wrong this summer for Madrid? Everyone was salivating themselves over how well run their "rebuild" was early in the summer.
The 5-3-2 isn’t unpopular randomly. It’s just not looked at all solid. That’s why fans don’t get it. Also, most interpret it as Zidane’s way to continue to favour Marcelo. The insistence on relying on Vazquez is also leading to the allegations of favoritism. Not to mention his standing firmly behind KCM as the only option in the absence of Pogba. Inflexible.In the preseason they have not played well and the signings have not been able to shine, Jovic, Hazard or Mendy, who was injured after the first game.
Fans expected more revolution, and better performances from veterans.
Nacho and Odriozola very badly, Kroos suffering a lot, Isco imprecise, and Lucas Vázquez as an alternative, when fans wanted to see other players.
The fan did not like he is so strict with the departure of Ceballos and James,who has a big group of fan boys, and that according to many deserves a chance.
Later came his refusal with Eriksen, his little illusion with Van de Beek, the apathy about the signing of Neymar, etc.
All this in theory, it is difficult to know who he appreciates and who does not.
The most exciting players this preseason were Kubo and Rodrygo, and he sent both to Castilla (perhaps for being NO EU, although Valverde already got a passport).
A bit counterproductive with the idea of signing young people. Ceballos, Odegaard, Kubo, Rodrygo, Vinicius on the bench, etc.
No improvement has been seen since March, and worried about the defensive weaknesses he has decided to use a new system, 532, which seems quite improvised and surely unpopular.
Yes, you're right. He has not been able to break up with the previous team.The 5-3-2 isn’t unpopular randomly. It’s just not looked at all solid. That’s why fans don’t get it. Also, most interpret it as Zidane’s way to continue to favour Marcelo. The insistence on relying on Vazquez is also leading to the allegations of favoritism. Not to mention his standing firmly behind KCM as the only option in the absence of Pogba. Inflexible.
To those ranting about his tactical ineptitude, I’m assuming they’ve never followed Madrid. He showed massive flexibility when he came in. It’s no coincidence that he played two different formations for a campaign. James and Morata would step in when Ronaldo was rested or if they were in search of goals. Morata got a lot of winners and James too was crucial then. Nobody wins 3 CLs (in a row FFS) through blind luck or just having a great team.
Feel though that the year before he let his personal preferences start to prejudice football judgment. Now it’s blinding him. He’s behaving more like Mourinho than the Zidane that came in first time around. Since he’s come back, he didn’t even get the “new manager bounce”. He’s not really changed anything and the stress is showing.
PS: On tactics, funnily enough, previously people accused Zidane of not having a system and set philosophy as he “mixed it up so much”. That’s partly what’s so immensely frustrating to see now. All down to personal biases and likes / dislikes? Or just trying to make a point to the Board (Flo) at the cost of the team and results? No idea but right now, looks like a long old season is in store...
Yes. All of it. YesThe 5-3-2 isn’t unpopular randomly. It’s just not looked at all solid. That’s why fans don’t get it. Also, most interpret it as Zidane’s way to continue to favour Marcelo. The insistence on relying on Vazquez is also leading to the allegations of favoritism. Not to mention his standing firmly behind KCM as the only option in the absence of Pogba. Inflexible.
To those ranting about his tactical ineptitude, I’m assuming they’ve never followed Madrid. He showed massive flexibility when he came in. It’s no coincidence that he played two different formations for a campaign. James and Morata would step in when Ronaldo was rested or if they were in search of goals. Morata got a lot of winners and James too was crucial then. Nobody wins 3 CLs (in a row FFS) through blind luck or just having a great team.
Feel though that the year before he let his personal preferences start to prejudice football judgment. Now it’s blinding him. He’s behaving more like Mourinho than the Zidane that came in first time around. Since he’s come back, he didn’t even get the “new manager bounce”. He’s not really changed anything and the stress is showing.
PS: On tactics, funnily enough, previously people accused Zidane of not having a system and set philosophy as he “mixed it up so much”. That’s partly what’s so immensely frustrating to see now. All down to personal biases and likes / dislikes? Or just trying to make a point to the Board (Flo) at the cost of the team and results? No idea but right now, looks like a long old season is in store...
This. Pogba isn't some magician, he needs specific conditions to bring the best out of him at Juventus he had Marchisio, Vidal and Pirlo everything was narrow through the middle and he needed minimal defensive positional discipline due to his peers. The same can be said succeeding at France, the hard work of Matiudi and Kante covered Paul's frailties they were the unsung heroes at the WC. Madrid to me personally have never had a strong team ethic, they've not had tactical elements to portray good football, not ordained themselves as a structured outfit not since dating back to the Galactico's era, everything at the club has run through Ronaldo and become Ronaldo FC.I don't really see how Pogba solves their problems. He seems like a convenient excuse for Zidane to deflect blame more than anything.
you got to get to finals to win the thing, and Ronaldo carried them to finals with plenty of decisive momentsNot just Ronaldo. A team full of matchwinners. Bale was more influential in 2 of those CL finals than Ronaldo.
That doesnt mean Pogba will stay. If he doesn't join Real Madrid, he's practically nailed on to sign for JuventusFor Manutd's sake, I hope Real get Jose.
Not to mention how lucky they got against Bayern in 2017- Bayern had a player sent off in each leg rather dubiously when Ramos and Casemiro were clearer candidates for such punishment while Ronaldo's equaliser in the 2nd leg was offsideThis.
I'd assume Ole would get a better tune out of Jovic for istance. He looked like an old fashioned United signing ala Van Nistelrooy before Madrid got involved.
When Madrid won 3 Champions Leagues in a row it was simply luck & having no great sides in the world at the time. Bayern played them off the park 2 seasons in a row & other games Ronaldo or Ramos turned into superman.
Makes me laugh when people compare them to the genius that was Pep's Barcelona - even his City side are better than Madrid ever where. They'd pass them to death.
The previous Bayern goal was offside too, Bayern got a penalty for the ball hitting Carvajal’s chest and the only dubious thing about the red card for Vidal was that it should have came way earlier.Not to mention how lucky they got against Bayern in 2017- Bayern had a player sent off in each leg rather dubiously when Ramos and Casemiro were clearer candidates for such punishment while Ronaldo's equaliser in the 2nd leg was offside
Juve do not have the funds to buy Pogba. If we finish in top 4 and playing better, he would stay.That doesnt mean Pogba will stay. If he doesn't join Real Madrid, he's practically nailed on to sign for Juventus
This is all just nonsense and Jovic part takes the cake. You actually believe a club will spend 60 mil € on a player and then sell him before he kicked a ball?Zidane wanted Pogba as a central figure in the rebuild but Madrid faffed around with other targets first thinking Pogba would be the least of their worries. Come the last week of the window they realised we weren't going to sell on the cheap and neither did we want Bale nor James so they offered Zidane Eriksen instead, a player he's not interested in.
Turns out all the players they bought aren't the finished article and haven't gelled together well enough over pre season to appease everyone. Now there's talk of loaning out Jovic, despite just signing and talk Zidane is going to walk again.
And people think we struggled after Ronaldo?
That's not true at all but it's not like it's very important.This.
I'd assume Ole would get a better tune out of Jovic for istance. He looked like an old fashioned United signing ala Van Nistelrooy before Madrid got involved.
When Madrid won 3 Champions Leagues in a row it was simply luck & having no great sides in the world at the time. Bayern played them off the park 2 seasons in a row & other games Ronaldo or Ramos turned into superman.
Makes me laugh when people compare them to the genius that was Pep's Barcelona - even his City side are better than Madrid ever where. They'd pass them to death.
Yup, I feel the same about the squad for this season. It's a very good team on paper but there's no hunger in them anymore and are in decline now and it doesn't help one bit if they get to play automatically based on their reputation alone. Zidane needs to keep them motivated and having them to compete with new and younger players for a position would have been what they need and would had love to see Eriksen sign for us this season or Van de Beek for that matter.I think the main mistake he's doing is keeping the majority of his old guard. After a diabolical season they needed deep changes and shaking things up, but they're keeping almost the same basis and spending thousands on peripheral additions, so that bad smell of last season remaining now shouldn't be a surprise.
We were better than bayern in 2017 and deserved to go through. One only has to look at vidal's tackle on isco 10 minutes into the second leg to put the "ref did it" argument to restThe previous Bayern goal was offside too, Bayern got a penalty for the ball hitting Carvajal’s chest and the only dubious thing about the red card for Vidal was that it should have came way earlier.
There were loads of mistakes both ways, Madrid deservedly won. Not in 2018 though, Bayern were clearly better then.
City are better than Madrid have ever been though. I've never seen Madrid dominate sides the way City have last few years.That's not true at all but it's not like it's very important.
Yet another example of people going hyperbolic in a football forum.
City are better than Madrid have ever been though. I've never seen Madrid dominate sides the way City have last few years.
The best team often doesn't win a knockout competition. Pep's City will rip any Madrid side to pieces more often than not. In the same league they would dominate just like his Barcelona: The odd 6-2 | 5-0 results etc... Rinse & repeat.
I think we are going to eat a fight between Zidane and Florentino.
Read this article, talk about the 6 causes that have caused the first reproaches of Florentino.
Ceballos, James, Pogba, Lo Celso(recommended by Valdano), Van de Beek and Eriksen.
About Pogba, they say that with that money Florentino could buy Eriksen+ Van de Beek and pay Bale's salary, who apparently, on a salary basis, should leave before Pogba signs.
Curious to see how it will develop during the season. Training together and thinking "Because of you I can't have Pogba"
We have to be so cautious and Bartomeu out of control, how is that possible
https://www.elconfidencial.com/depo...madrid-fichajes-pogba-eriksen-neymar_2167991/
How do we know the Juventus job was even offered to him?I think he regrets not waiting on the Juventus job. Thinking about it, he would have literally been the perfect fit for them as:
1. They have Ronaldo
2. He is probably still loved by the club
3. They went out and bought 2 central defenders, of which 1 is a generational talent (De Ligt) and the other has ridiculous potential (Demiral).
4. Signed young/entering their prime midfielders (of which 1 is a compatriot that probably idolises him)
5. They want the Champions League and with Allegri failing in that regard, who better to deliver it than the man who effectively masterminded your elimination/final defeat 2 times in a row?
Add to that:
5a) He is a club legend
5b) He would be recharged
5c) He gets on very well with the Agnelli family and probably Nedved as well.
Yes, it also caught my attention( for who is interested "Zidane sees Pogba as a bridge for Mbappé's arrival").Interesting on Pogba the following: Zizou ve a Pogba como un puente a la llegada de Mbappé.
That is actually an incredible achievement I'll give you that. Never as good as City atm despite their consistency... They make their own luck it seems.What teams?
When City qualifies eight seasons in a row for CL semis without failure we can start thinking about comparing them to any Real Madrid teams of the last decade.
Real Madrid from 2012-17 with peak Ronaldo would beat City.City are better than Madrid have ever been though. I've never seen Madrid dominate sides the way City have last few years.
The best team often doesn't win a knockout competition. Pep's City will rip any Madrid side to pieces more often than not. In the same league they would dominate just like his Barcelona: The odd 6-2 | 5-0 results etc... Rinse & repeat.