It is still early days in the season, and Zinedine Zidane has already managed to find himself under the scrutiny of the Spanish press. A report by AS has stated that the Real Madrid hierarchy is already contemplating a change of manager by the turn of the year.
Zidane’s side sloppily dropped two points at the Santiago Bernabeu against Real Valladolid on the second matchday of the season. Following a massive summer spending spree, Real Madrid still do not look like an imposing powerhouse in European football. The pre-season was an enormous letdown for Los Blancos where they barely had any positives to take with them into the 2019-20 season.
With a good squad at his disposal and good relations with the club hierarchy, Zidane is facing some massive and unavoidable situations at the Spanish capital. Some of these difficulties do not even have immediate solutions to them.
Here’s a look at three difficulties Zidane is facing.
Sick Bay
There is a huge list of players who are currently nursing themselves at the sickbay. James Rodriguez is the latest addition to the list with a calf injury. Summer recruit, Eden Hazard is yet to make his competitive debut for the side and is currently nursing a hamstring injury. Hazard is expected to make his return halfway through September.
Marco Asensio ruptured his cruciate ligament in pre-season and will be unable to have any impact on proceedings until the turn of the year. Additionally, the two youth prospects in the side, Brahim Diaz and Rodrygo Goes are also nursing hamstring injuries. The duo is also expected to make a return to the team in September. The absence of these players has impacted Zidane’s ability to field a full-strength starting eleven.
Transfer Twists & Turns
Zinedine Zidane spent nearly the entire summer break publicly stating that Gareth Bale and James Rodriguez were surpluses to requirements at the club. However, the duo has ended up staying at the club which has further created an awkward atmosphere in the dressing room. To make things worse for Zidane, the Frenchman even has to resort to them in the absence of his first-choice players.
Gareth Bale and James Rodriguez have both played for Real Madrid in the opening two La Liga matches. James was an unused sub in the first game away at Celta but made the starting eleven on Matchday 2 against Real Valladolid. Gareth Bale has started in both the games and has questioned Zidane’s approach towards him with determined and focussed performances.
Things would take a drastic change once the transfer window comes to a close as it would allow the dressing room atmosphere to settle down a bit. Zidane would also be able to have a better grip on his players when the environment is tranquil.
