Real Madrid vs. Deportivo: Team News, Predicted Lineups, Live Stream, TV Info
Zinedine Zidane's message was a simple one. "We want to make the fans happy," the new Real Madrid manager said on Friday ahead of his team's meeting with Deportivo La Coruna on Saturday. "We want them to enjoy watching the team and the players."
It's a natural place to start for Zidane, whose presence alone will likely make those fans happier than they have been. Since Madrid's Clasico hammering from Barcelona in November, the Bernabeu has taken on an air of toxicity, its occupants hostile and its mood icy. Former manager Rafa Benitez was the focus for much of the angst, of course, but Madrid's stars haven't avoided it, either. Not even Cristiano Ronaldo.
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At times, it's felt as though those inside the Bernabeu have been on the verge of revolt—and they might have, too, if there had been a few more of them.
Indeed, crowds in recent weeks have been sparse by Real Madrid's standards, more than 20,000 seats left empty for the visits of Getafe, Malmo and Rayo Vallecano. But Saturday's clash with Deportivo will buck the trend; a sell-out is expected. "Crowds flock back under Zidane," declared Marca on Thursday.
A suddenly excited and packed out Bernabeu is indicative of how the mood has changed in recent days. Zidane now in charge, a cautious sense of optimism has surrounded Real Madrid, the Frenchman's appointment widely welcomed, the development itself fascinating. Concerns exist, admittedly, over his experience and credentials as a coach, but the idea Zidane represents is alluring.
Here, Madrid have appointed a man with the gravitas to lead a club of this stature. To unite a politicised organisation. To put out fires. To command authority. He is, after all, a legend now in control of stars.
That's the idea, anyway. But realities will quickly set in.
Like Benitez before him, Zidane faces the challenge of crafting an outfit of balance from the top-heavy squad that's been assembled by president Florentino Perez.
On Friday, the new boss expressed his intention to build a side around the club's three biggest names in Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale, but that's not where his decisions end; Zidane has to find a way to simultaneously incorporate Toni Kroos, Luka Modric, James Rodriguez and Isco too, and so far, two managers have already gotten themselves fired while trying.
The task is difficult. So too will be the challenge posed by Saturday's opponents.
Less than 12 months ago, Deportivo were a mess but not anymore.
In the summer, the club completed a major overhaul of its squad, establishing a new Spanish core flush with La Liga experience but, crucially, with plenty still in the tank. In came Pedro Mosquera from Elche, Alejandro Arribas and Fernando Navarro from Sevilla, Fede Cartabia on loan from Valencia and Cani from Villarreal.
Additionally, playmaker Faycal Fajr was brought in, Luis Alberto arrived on loan from Liverpool and, most importantly, Lucas Perez was signed permanently after returning to his hometown club on loan last season.
All of them are now thriving.
Under Victor Sanchez, a manager who's rapidly developing a strong reputation, Deportivo have become a team that's impossible not to like. With verve and adventure, they attack with real intent, a high-voltage forward ensemble set up to break with speed and attack space. With 12 league goals already, Lucas is the ferociously hard-working leader of the pack and focus of the headlines, but Depor are much more than a one-man band.
Centrally, Mosquera has been one of the league's outstanding midfielders this season, while Fajr has excelled in his creative role. At the back, Sidnei and Arribas have become one of the best partnerships in the division. Depor are a handful. Just ask Barcelona. Or Atletico Madrid. Or Valencia. Or Sevilla. Or Celta Vigo. Or Athletic Bilbao.
Not one of those teams has beaten Depor this season.
Will Real Madrid be added to the list?
Match Details
Date: Saturday, January 9
Time: 7:30 p.m. GMT/2:30 p.m. ET/8:30 p.m. local
Venue: Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
TV Info: Sky Sports (UK), beIN Sports (U.S.)
Live Stream: Sky Go (UK), beIN Sports CONNECT (U.S.)
Form Lines
| D: 2-2 vs. Valencia | D: 1-1 vs. Mirandes |
| W: 3-1 vs. Real Sociedad | L: 1-2 vs. Villarreal |
| W: 10-2 vs. Rayo Vallecano | D: 0-0 vs. Getafe |
| L: 0-1 vs. Villarreal | W: 2-0 vs. Eibar |
| W: 8-0 vs. Malmo | D: 1-1 vs. Llagostera |
| W: 4-1 vs. Getafe | D: 2-2 vs. Barcelona |
Team News
For Real Madrid, right-back Dani Carvajal is set to return from injury and is expected to start ahead of Danilo after being included in the training XI for the team's final practice session on Friday, per AS. According to the Madrid-based daily, the Spaniard will be joined in defence by Sergio Ramos, Pepe and Marcelo, with Raphael Varane likely to start on the bench.
In midfield, Isco is in line to return to the starting XI after several weeks out in the cold under Benitez, and the Spaniard trained alongside Luka Modric and Toni Kroos in a midfield trio on Friday. As a result, James Rodriguez could be forced to the bench. Mateo Kovacic, who started against Valencia on Sunday, will be absent through suspension as a result of his red card against Los Che.
In attack, meanwhile, the familiar trident of Ronaldo, Benzema and Bale will start.
For Deportivo, centre-back Arribas has been included in the squad after being in doubt during the week, and he'll join Sidnei, Juanfran and Navarro in a familiar back four.
In midfield, Victor could opt for a tight trio in the sort of narrow 4-3-1-2 that worked so brilliantly against Barcelona in December. That afternoon, Depor denied the Catalans space through the middle and forced them to the flanks but managed to maintain a threat by leaving a No. 10 and two strikers pressed hard up against Barcelona's defensive line.
If such a system is used again, Mosquera, Alex Bergantinos and Luisinho are the most likely to make up the midfield three, while Fajr will be the chief creator in the No. 10 role. As ever, Lucas will lead the attack and could be joined by Alberto.
Predicted Lineups
In the Spotlight
In short: Zidane and his selections.
Odds (via Odds Shark)
Real Madrid: 1-9
Draw: 17-2
Deportivo La Coruna: 21-1
