''REAL MADRID 2016 : ZIDANE'' scout report by Branko Nikovski

2. SYSTEM OF PLAY : 4-3-3
-A team with elevated level of individual technique, for
implementation in productive way this system of play.
-They like to control and dominate the game, but know also
defend with low barycenter and attack through counter
attacks. The elevated level of creativity and imagination
(individual and collective) helps them during the creation
of actions, and for that reason they are free from tactical
discipline in determined spatial zones.
-If they lose or aren't satisfied with the draw, the system
of play doesn't change, but the full backs are ultra-
offensive.
-The substitutions can make the difference, because
always enters a fresh player but also with high technical
capacities.

3. SYSTEM OF PLAY : 4-3-3
-The wingers move centrally a lot, leaving the flanks
for the fullbacks and their lateral insertions. Also
great in 1vs1. Interchange position with the Striker
(especially Ronaldo con Benzema).
-The three midfielders construct the offensive actions
via short passes, filtrate passes through the
opponent's lines , changes of play on the flanks.
-The fullbacks are great in 1vs1, crossing, very fast and
in ball controlling.
-The central defenders, thanks to their high/normal
technical capacities , start the construction of the
action, but if they are pressured, prefer not to risk
and launch the ball in Zone 3 for the Wingers and the
Striker.

4. SYSTEM OF PLAY : 4-3-3
-Lethal offensive transition, thanks to the
velocity, acceleration and dribbling of the
Wingers and the Striker.
-In defence, the system transforms in 4-4-2 ;
the right winger drops down to the midfield
line and the left winger centralize near the
striker.
-With a red card, the system transforms in
4-4-1 : low barycenter and attacks through
counter attack.

7. SYSTEM OF PLAY: 4-3-3
INDIVIDUAL CHARACTERISTICS
GOALKEEPER :
NAVAS :
Good goalkeeper. Agil, reactive, good in
1vs1, stabile with ball control.
CENTRAL DEFENDERS :
S.RAMOS :
The captain, fast-strong central defender.
Great technique and helps during the
construction of the offensive action.
Covers and marks the opponent.
Great in 1vs1 in defence and aerial duels.
Participates in the Offensive Set-Pieces.

8. SYSTEM OF PLAY: 4-3-3
INDIVIDUAL CHARACTERISTICS
PEPE :
Fast and strong. Great aggressive man-
marking. Confident in defensive 1vs1 and
aerial duels. Not so good with the ball.
Participates in the Offensive Set-Pieces.
Natural substitution :
VARANE :
Young talent. A mix from S.Ramos and
Pepe. After two-three years will be one of
the best in this position. Participates in the
Offensive Set-Pieces. Great in aerial duels.

9. SYSTEM OF PLAY: 4-3-3
INDIVIDUAL CHARACTERISTICS
FULLBACKS :
LEFT : MARCELO :
Very fast fullback, attacks a lot. Ball control
and protection. Brazilian player with great
shoot from the distance and dribbling. Defends
very well, blocking the opponent's dribblings
and crosses. Thanks to his velocity , helps a lot
during the defensive transition. Lateral
offensive insertions.
RIGHT : CARVAJAL :
Very fast fullback, attacks a lot. Ball control
and protection. Defends very well, blocking
the opponent's dribblings and crosses.
Thanks to his velocity , helps a lot during the
defensive transition. Lateral offensive
insertions.

10. SYSTEM OF PLAY: 4-3-3
INDIVIDUAL CHARACTERISTICS
Natural substitution:
DANILO :
Fast full back, physically strong. Offensive
lateral insertions and good ball control.
Suffers defensive 1vs1 if is not helped by the
midfielder.
DEFENSIVE MIDFIELDER :
KROOS :
Constructor of the all offensive actions, all the
balls pass through his feet. Elevate technical
abilities. Never loses the ball and protects it
very well. Always accurate pass and great
diagonal long balls for game change on the
other flank. Good shoot from distance.
If the opponent succeed to block him, is the
beginning of Real's problems.

11. SYSTEM OF PLAY: 4-3-3
INDIVIDUAL CHARACTERISTICS
RIGHT ATTACKING MIDFIELDER :
MODRIC :
He also is a constructor of the offensive actions with
Kroos. Always tries to find a teammate between the lines
or tries to change the game on the flanks via long
diagonal ball. Elevated technical abilities. If the offensive
action is developing on the left flank in Zone 3-4, he is
expecting the second balls. If the offensive action is
developing on the right flank in Zone 3-4, he is
controlling the development of the action and sometimes
tries insertions from behind.
LEFT ATTACKING MIDFIELDER :
ISCO :
Great technical abilities. Often is between the
opponent's lines, with the duty to progress the action
in Zone 3-4. Sometimes moves wide on the left flank
for creating confusion in the opponent's defence.
Shoot from distance. In defence, covers and helps a
lot of space on the left flank.

12. SYSTEM OF PLAY: 4-3-3
INDIVIDUAL CHARACTERISTICS
Natural substitution :
KOVACIC :
Great talent with a elevated level of
development. Great acceleration and ball
control. After two-three years will be one
of the best in this position.
LEFT WINGER :
RONALDO :
One of the best players in the world.
Almost perfect. Polyvalent. Very fast and
agile. Moves centrally a lot and plays near
Benzema, leaving the flank for Marcelo's
lateral insertions. Coldness in front of the
opponent's goal.

13. SYSTEM OF PLAY : 4-3-3
INDIVIDUAL CHARACTERISTICS
RIGHT WINGER :
BALE :
Very fast and agile left-footed
with a enormous level of acceleration. Great
in 1vs1 duels. Moves a lot centrally waiting for
the ball between the lines in central-right
Zone 3, leaving the flank for Carvajal's lateral
insertions. Tries to help in defensive phase.
Coldness in front of the opponent's goal. Good
cross and great shoot from distance.
Natural substitutions :
1. JAMES RODRIGUEZ :
Great technical abilites and a lot movements
between the lines.
Good cross and great shoot from distance.
*Often plays like Left Attacking Midfielder if
Bale is playing Right Winger.

14. SYSTEM OF PLAY : 4-3-3
INDIVIDUAL CHARACTERISTICS
2. JESE' :
Ambidextrous winger. Very fast and
good in 1vs1 duels. Great
substitution during the last 20
minutes, when the opponent's
fullbacks are tired.
STRIKER :
BENZEMA :
Goleador. Very strong striker, but
also fast. Good dribbling abilities,
movements without ball, technique,
intuition, coldness in front of the
opponent's goal.

15. SYSTEM OF PLAY : 4-3-3
OFFENSIVE PHASE
ZONE 1 :
-Wide and high fullbacks ; the Defensive Midfielder
drops down to start the development of the
construction of the offensive action.
-The offensive action starts with Navas , who :
1. Pass the ball to one of the central defenders, who are
lightly wide, to start the construction.
2. Pass the ball to Kroos, who dropped down in Zone 1 to
start the construction.
3. Long ball in Zone 3 for the Wingers or the Striker
(he does that if is pressed by the opponent and the first
teammates are blocked).
4. Long diagonal ball in Zone 2 , for the fullbacks.

17. SYSTEM OF PLAY : 4-3-3
OFFENSIVE PHASE
ZONE 2 :
-In this Zone, Kroos and Modric are the constructors of the
action, and everything depend on them. Short passes with
two-three touches max.
-The full backs are high and wide in Zone 2-3.
Isco is moving between the opponent's lines with the notion
to bring the ball in Zone 3.
(With the Modric's movement near Kroos and Isco's
movements between the lines, the system of play
transforms in 4-2-3-1.)
(The action's development is more often on central-right
Zone.) * If the opponent is playing the low barycenter,
the offensive-tactical developments from Zone 2
can transport in Zone 3

18. SYSTEM OF PLAY : 4-3-3
OFFENSIVE PHASE
ZONE 2 :
The objective is to attract the opponent to move in front and
than hit him :
1. With passes between the lines in Zone 3 for Isco or the
accentrate winger/s.
2. With long diagonal passes for the fullbacks, who are
attacking in lateral depth the Zone 3.
3. With lateral passes for the fullbacks, who will pass the ball
vertically very fast in depth to the wingers.
*All this objectives are implemented in the reality in very
simple way for the human eye, but they look simple only thanks
to the elevated individual technical level of Modric, Kroos, Isco,
Marcelo, S.Ramos, Kovacic, James etc.
*If the opponent is playing the low barycenter, the
offensive-tactical developments from Zone 2 can
transport in Zone 3.

34. If the opponent blocks Kroos, the
development of the action complicates.

35. SYSTEM OF PLAY : 4-3-3
OFFENSIVE PHASE
ZONE 3 :
*If the opponent is playing the low barycenter, the offensive-tactical
developments from Zone 2 can transport in Zone 3.
1. CENTRAL :
1.1 If the ball arrives between the lines (Isco or the winger/s),
they always try to move the ball in Zone 4 , through three
developments :
1.1.1 Diagonal pass for the wide fullback(the winger moves
centrally).
1.1.2 Diagonal pass for the wide winger.
1.1.3 Pass in depth for Benzema.
1.2 If the opponent is playing with low barycenter :
1.2.1 Modric and Kroos try via filtrate passes between the lines to
find Isco, Ronaldo, Benzema e Bale/James.
1.2.2 Modric and Kroos try the game change on the opposite flank
via diagonal long ball for the high and wide full back (thanks to the
winger's central movement) .

54. Modric and Kroos try the game change on the opposite
flank via diagonal long ball for the high and wide full
back (thanks to the winger's central movement) .

61. * OFFENSIVE TACTICAL-SPECIFIC VARIATION :
-On the right flank, in some determined moments, the winger(Bale or James
or Jese') moves centrally, Modric attacks in depth and the fullback(Carvajal
or Danilo) stays wide in Zone 3. ; Via short fast passes the winger and the
fullback try to create confusion in the opponent's defence and than to pass
vertically to Modric.

64. SYSTEM OF PLAY : 4-3-3
OFFENSIVE PHASE
ZONE 3 :
*If the opponent is playing the low barycenter, the offensive-tactical
developments from Zone 2 can transport in Zone 3.
2. LATERAL :
2.1 The objective is to attack Zone 4 laterally via 1vs1 with the
opponent's fullback and with the lateral insertions of Marcelo o
Carvajal/Danilo.
*Ronaldo is almost always centrally near Benzema.
OFFENSIVE TACTICAL-SPECIFIC VARIATION :
On the left flank , in determined moments, with Ronaldo's
central position, Isco moves wide on the flank and Marcelo
takes his place central-left.
In this situation again is created a transformation of the
system of play : 2-4-2.
The objective is to create confusion in the opponent's defence,
putting Isco in lateral depth in Zone 4.

73. SYSTEM OF PLAY : 4-3-3
OFFENSIVE PHESE
ZONE 4 :
-The full backs are wide and ready to cross. The right
winger and Isco from left are also ready to cross, in
some determined variations.
-In the penalty box are 3-4 or 5 players ready to
score ( the striker + the wingers + Isco or Modric
(sometimes) + the fullback(Marcelo sometimes) ).
-Isco attacks a lot from behind the penalty box ,
Modric expects the second balls.
-In the penalty box , they don't have synchronized
movements, but prefer to use their intuition and
imagination.
-High level of finalization.

108. SYSTEM OF PLAY : 4-3-3
OFFENSIVE PHASE
SPECIFIC SITUATION :
OPPONENT’S HIGH AGGRESSIVE PRESSING:
WEAKNEES
-It is enormous problem when the opponent is pressing high
and aggressive and succeed to block Kroos and Modric, disturb
the ball carrier (Navas, S.Ramos, Pepe , Varane), block the pass
trajectories.
*In some cases , Real's players try through short fast passes
to escape from the opponent's pressing and transport the ball
in central Zone 3 for the wingers and the striker.
*But , very often, because of the fear of losing the ball, they try
long balls in Zone 3-4 (especially Navas and the central
defenders).
*If they succeed to neutralize the opponent's pressing, it is
created a enormous opportunity to create a goal occasion.

117. SYSTEM OF PLAY : 4-3-3
DEFENSIVE PHASE : 4-4-2
4-4-2 : Ronaldo moves centrally near Benzema ;
Bale/James/Jese' drops down to the midfield
creating 4-4-2.
-Zonal Defending.
-The two lines are very short and compact when the
barycenter is low and ready to attack via counter
attacks (Benzema and Ronaldo are without defensive
duties).
-When Modric and Kroos move forward to press high
in Zone 3, the defensive line doesn't move forward
with them but stays with the direct opponents. ; This
way, is created a big spatial interval between the lines,
very very dangerous : WEAKNESS .

118. SYSTEM OF PLAY : 4-3-3
DEFENSIVE PHASE : 4-4-2
-The two central defenders exchange between them
the duties man marking-covering. If the opponent is
playing with two strikers, they use man marking. Great
in aerial , physical duels and 1vs1.
-If the opponent's right fullback have good technical
abilities, Ronaldo sometimes helps in defence.
-Laterally, on the left side ,Marcelo have full covering
support from Isco. On the right side, Bale/James tries
to help but often loses the concentration , and for that
reason Carvajal/Danilo suffers more, but Bale/James
sacrifice a lot marking the opponent's left fullback.
*The fullbacks are great in defensive 1vs1 duels.

135. SYSTEM OF PLAY : 4-3-3
DEFENSIVE PHASE: 4-4-2
PRESSING : MEDIUM - HIGH
-Zonal pressing : fast and aggressive.
During the pressing , centrally, between the lines is created a
big spatial interval ''hole''.
Why ? - The midfield line with Modric-Kroos-Isco-Bale is
pressing high with Ronaldo and Benzema(pressing on
opponent's ball carrier). ; The defensive line with S.Ramos-Pepe
-Carvajal-Marcelo stays near the direct opponents and does
not move forward following the midfield line.
That way is created the ''hole'' , but the opponents rarely takes
advantage of this weakness.
*This pressing + weakness is great against opponents with
inferior technical abilities.

141. SYSTEM OF PLAY : 4-3-3
OFFENSIVE TRANSITION
-Biggest weapon. Very fast action development.
-The striker and the wingers are applying this tactical
principle in effective way alone, but they always have the
support from Isco/Kovacic + one full back. 3+1+1
*The productivity and effectivity of this tactical principle is
fundamental.
-Through the high pressing try to steal the ball in Zone ; if
they succeed , is goal for sure.
-In Zone , they defend with 4-4-2 with low barycenter, and
the moment when they steal the ball :
*right : move the ball diagonally on the left flank for Ronaldo,
who attacks in depth. Marcelo also participates.
*central : Modric and Kroos try immediately to find Ronaldo
or Bale (who attack wide in depth) ; Benzema attacks in depth
centrally.
*left : long pass in depth for Ronaldo. Marcelo also
participates.

158. SYSTEM OF PLAY: 4-3-3
DEFENSIVE TRANSITION
3+1+1: Kroos and the two central defenders are helped
by Modric and one fullback.
-The squad is attacking with a lot players, and always
leaves space behind .
-When the ball is lost, they try immediately to win it back
or at least to block the pass trajectories of the opponent's
ball carrier.
-When the ball is lost in lateral Zone 3, the opposite
fullback returns immediately in defence for helping.
-The biggest problem is created when they lose the ball in
Zone 2 ; very vulnerable, but rarely happens, thanks to
their elevated technical abilities.

175. SYSTEM OF PLAY : 4-3-3
SET PIECES : DEFENCE
CORNER KICK :
-Benzema marks the first post, Ronaldo the area in
front of Navas.
-Two players are near the ball carrier, blocking
eventual short passes.
-One player stays up front, for eventual offensive
transition.
-The others are man marking.
FREE KICK :
Lateral : o ne or two player in the wall. The others are
positioned in horizontal line , man marking.

189. SYSTEM OF PLAY : 4-3-3
SET-PIECES : ATTACK
CORNER KICK :
-Kroos is the corner's shooter/sometimes James/.
-The striker + the wingers + the central defenders :
3+2
-They don't have synchronized movements, but
intuitive and aggressive. Bale often attacks the first
post, the others centrally , Pepe sometimes the
second post. Thanks to their physiognomy , they are
dominating and scoring a lot.
-Isco and Modric are outside the penalty box,
expecting the second balls or blocking eventual
opponent transition.
-Marcelo and Carvajal stay behind.

196. SYSTEM OF PLAY : 4-3-3
SET-PIECES : ATTACK
FREE KICK :
Lateral :
-Kroos is the shooter.
-They use the same scheme from the Corner Kick : 3+2 .
Here also don't have synchronized movements, but attack in
depth.
-Isco and Modric are expecting the second balls or blocking
eventual opponent transition.
*If the lateral free kick is near the goal, Ronaldo shoot
directly.
Central :
-right : shoot on goal: Bale o James.
-left : shoot on goal: always Ronaldo.
-Some teammates are always ready to
attack the penalty box , for eventual rejected
ball from the opponent's goalkeeper.