REAL MADRID players were reportedly left ‘baffled’ by Zinedine Zidane’s team selection for yesterday’s shock 4-1 defeat at Valencia.
An own-goal from Raphael Varane and THREE Carlos Soler penalties wiped out Karim Benzema’s opener to upset the odds and send Real back to the capital with their second loss in LaLiga.
Real Madrid players are not happy with Zinedine Zidane’s tinkeringCredit: Reuters
Real were without key men Eden Hazard and Casemiro for the trip to the Mestalla after they both tested positive for coronavirus.
But Marca claims players were left flummoxed when neither Ferland Mendy or Toni Kroos made the starting XI on match day.
Instead, veteran Marcelo and outcast Isco were thrust into the team after spending most of the season on the bench.
And the move backfired as a disjointed Real side were roundly beaten by their hosts.
It’s reckoned that regulars in the side could not get their heads around Zidane’s reasoning for including Marcelo and Isco while leaving out two of his star players.
And the questioning is sure to put Zidane’s future under even more pressure after he also suffered two defeats from the first three Champions League group stage games.
Indeed, he too was left puzzled by Real’s collapse at Valencia, saying: “We started the first half hour well.
“After the first goal we fell apart and changed the dynamics. Everything happened to us: three penalties, an own goal. It is difficult to understand.
“There is no justification or excuses.
“I don’t think Valencia has been tactically better than us. The only thing is that we started well and everything changed after the goal.
“This is difficult to understand but yes, the one most responsible is me. We must find solutions after the goal they scored.”
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
