Zidane delighted as new-look Real Madrid make light work of Valencia

Real Madrid head coach Zinedine Zidane was delighted with the performance of his new-look side in their 3-1 Supercopa de Espana victory over Valencia.

Goals from Toni Kroos, Isco and Luka Modric sealed a commanding victory for Madrid in Jeddah, with Dani Parejo’s penalty in second-half stoppage time offering scant consolation.

With Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale unavailable along with longer-term absentees Lucas Vazquez and Marco Asensio, Zidane experimented with his line-up by playing without wingers and using Isco and Modric as the most advanced players in a five-man midfield.

The move paid dividends on Wednesday as both players produced excellent displays in support of Luka Jovic and in front of Kroos, Casemiro and Federico Valverde in deeper midfield roles.

Zidane suggested the tactic could be used again this season as it allows Madrid’s full-backs more space to attack against teams defending in deep blocks.

102 -Isco Alarcón have made 102 & completed 96 passes vs Valencia, more than any other game in his career for @realmadriden (all competitions). Honey#SpanishSuperCup #SupercopadeEspaña #RealMadrid pic.twitter.com/Q6qT1kA5RH

— OptaJose (@OptaJose) January 8, 2020

Speaking to reporters afterwards, he said: “We put in all the ingredients to win the game and it’s a deserved victory.

“We’re working well. Emotionally, we’re doing well. We have all the ingredients to play good games. That’s what we did against Valencia, against opponents who are very good.

“We pressed high very well. The second half was much more direct and I’m happy because it’s not easy against a very good team, who know how to play well. We can be pleased.

“Today, the option was to put Isco and Modric on the inside to have more runs from the full-backs.

“It was the option for today. We can play with wingers, but we did it the other way around, with more central players and using the wings with our full-backs. It worked for us.

“We prepare really well for games, we understand them very well. We’re all together. In the end, it’s the players that play, that give everything on the pitch.”

Madrid will play Sunday’s final against the winner of Thursday’s second semi-final between Barcelona and Atletico Madrid.

5 – Luka Modric has scored five goals in all competitions this season, more than any other in his eight campaigns for @realmadriden. Reactivation#SpanishSuperCup #Supercopadeespana #modric #RealMadrid pic.twitter.com/x4LrFDH1J0

— OptaJose (@OptaJose) January 8, 2020