Real Madrid squad ‘BAFFLED’ at Zidane’s team selection in 4-1 thrashing at Valencia

Real Madrid squad were reportedly 'baffled' at Zinedine Zidane's team selection for ir LaLiga clash against Valencia on Sunday. Los Blancos suffered a 4-1 humiliation at Mestalla as Zidane opted against starting key players including Ferland Mendy and Toni Kroos. Instead, veteran left-back Marcelo and outcast Isco Alarcon were thrown into mix despite spending most of season on bench.

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Valencia vs Real Madrid: Zidane's side hammered 4-1 at Mestalla

LaLiga champions headed into ir clash against Valencia without Eden Hazard and Casemiro, who both tested positive for COVID-19. However, in ir last game before vember international break, Zidane opted against starting regulars Ferland Mendy and Isco at Mestalla. Frenchman instead, surprisingly, handed starts to Marcelo and Isco and move backfired in some fashion. 

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Despite taking lead through Karim Benzema midway through first half, Real Madrid found mselves 2-1 down at break due to a penalty from Carlos Soler and an own-goal from Raphael Varane. hosts n grabbed two more goals in second period as Soler converted both his spot-kicks to score a hat-trick of penalties in game. After match, Zidane took responsibility for defeat but revealed that he was also "puzzled" at his team's collapse after conceding first goal. 

However, Zidane wasn't only one confused during 90 minutes as reports from Marca claim several members in Madrid dressing room were 'slightly baffled' at Frenchman's tactics and team selection. Real Madrid have lost every LaLiga game (9) that Marcelo has featured in since Zidane's second spell in  Spanish capital.

However, Zidane still opted use defensive stalwart over in-form Mendy. It was Marcelo's error that led to Madrid conceding ir first penalty in second half. Zidane hasn't seen his side lose any of 29 La Liga fixtures he has overseen without Marcelo over past two years, with his latest showing likely to lead to an increase in calls for Mendy to take his spot in team on a permanent basis.

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Zidane also handed a rare start for Isco, who had started in only two LaLiga games this season prior to Sunday's fixture against Valencia. However, Spaniard struggled in midfield and looked out of sorts before being subbed off in 83rd minute.  Zidane's decision t to start Kroos over Isco reportedly came under criticism from some of his own players in dressing room. Real Madrid are currently in fourth place in LaLiga standings with 16 points from eight games. 

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More so, Frenchman's future at club has also come under scrutiny after Madrid suffered two poor results in ir opening three UCL group st games. 13-time European champions suffered defeat against Shakhtar Donetsk on matchday 1 before rescuing a point against Gladbach on MD 2. Real Madrid n recorded a 3-2 win against Inter Milan last week.

Im Credits - realmadrid.com