With football set to return, Real Madrid are preparing to get back to their LaLiga Santander title fight, yet ahead of doing so, Zinedine Zidane has five major decisions to make.

These decisions will be key to Los Blancos’ attempts to wrestle the title back from Barcelona, although they currently sit two points behind the Blaugrana.

The formation

Zidane is in love with 4-3-3 and circumstances may dictate that he will be able to use it once again. These factors are the respective returns of Eden Hazard and Marco Asensio.

Two attacking footballers who could form a perfect forward trident alongside the untouchable Karim Benzema.

Hazard and Asensio

The return of the Belgian will certainly send Vinicius Jr to the bench, whilst Asensio will have to share prominence with Gareth Bale, Lucas Vazquez and Rodrygo Goes.

The other forward players – Luka Jovic, Mariano and Brahim – aren’t expected to be given much game time, especially with Jovic injured.

Three or four in midfield?

Attacking setups will influence Zidane’s midfield selections.

If Zidane opts for three in the centre of the pitch then Casemiro will certainly be the holding midfielder of the trio.

Fede Valverde will be guaranteed a spot next to him, but Zidane will have to decide between Luka Modric and Toni Kroos, with the German holding an advantage.

However, if the French coach uses four in midfield then that opens up a space for Isco to play in a 4-4-2, a system which saw the Spaniard play his best football under Zidane during the 2016/17 Champions League campaign.

Marcelo or Mendy?

In defence there are fewer doubts with Thibaut Courtois now the club’s undisputed first-choice goalkeeper, and the only question that remains is who will be the starting left-back between Marcelo and Ferland Mendy.

Mendy has played 22 matches and the Brazilian has 19 appearances in the 2019/20 season, although Marcelo has struggled for form.

Rotation and the five substitutes

With the rule changes coming into force that will allow five substitutions per match, Zidane will have to adapt his rotations and tactical changes, which could influence the formation.

Injuries led to Zidane using a 4-5-1 in the Supercopa de Espana in Jeddah, which could reappear once more, especially with Jovic out with a fractured foot.

SOURCE:- allfootballapp