ZZ wants the ball

Ever since Zinedine Zidane's arrival in the Bernabéu dugout, he has wanted his players to take charge of matches, to control the game and dominate proceedings. He has no intention of giving up on that against Barcelona, a team that they have struggled, for years, to compete with for possession. Los Blancos have beaten them with others tools, like quick counter-attack football, but wrestling control of the ball from them is another matter altogether.

However, Zidane is not giving up and does not plan to change his game plan. He wants his team to press high up the pitch, win the ball back quickly, keep it and move it quickly about the park, even at the Camp Nou. For that reason, there has been no end of training matches over half a pitch this week, with the Frenchman trying to instil in his players the need for quick and pinpoint passing. That is the only way to deal with the pressure that Barcelona will put them under.

Of course, taking their own goalscoring chances is key too. That is another thing that Zidane has worked on this week, especially with Benzema and Bale. Making the most of their chances is going to be crucial, which is why there have been so many shooting drills and exercises at Valdebebas this week.

Zidane wants the ball and wants to hurt Barcelona. This is a game in which the Frenchman wants his players to showcase a new playing style out on the pitch: it is not about waiting for the opposition, but more about going after the game.