Real Madrid, 60 consecutive games, Cristiano and Plan B
If Real Madrid score on Wednesday at Manzanares, they will equal Bayern Munich's record of 61 consecutive matches finding the back of the opposition's net. This is an added attraction to the game, if they will fail or not. That goal for the visitors would also stretch Atlético's requirement to five goals. We will see what happens. What I want to focus on here is the pleasure of Zidane's attacking force (in its two versions), and even more so, comparing it to his direct predecessor. With Rafa Benítez, Los Blancos failed to score in five of 25 games. Under Zidane they've only failed in three of their 82. The players are practically the same. The spirit is not.
Real Madrid's Plan B a huge success
There is more to take from this. One that I don't want to leave till later is a tribute to the 'second unit' or 'B team'. In the final sprint towards the scoring record, the reserve team has taken on the mantle in tough circumstances and not only have they maintained the run but taken pride in it with tremendous results: 1-4 in Eibar, 2-4 in Leganés, 2-3 in Gijón, 2-6 in La Coruña and 0-4 in Granada. 21 goals in five games (all away from home), that have improved the team's overall average. They also formed the side that put away Cultural in the Copa del Rey, 1-7 and 6-1. This second team has been one of the successes of the season.
Zidane's squad-full of goals
There has been a total of 165 goals, distributed across the team. Of course, top scorer is Cristiano with 39, making up almost a quarter. His goals-to-games ratio is down somewhat on previous seasons, but he still stands out extraordinarily and the evidence suggests that the BBC should actually be written bbC, two of the letters in lower case. Benzema is only third (18), behind Morata (20). To find the Welshman you have to scroll down passed Ramos (12) and James (11), and he's found tied with Isco on 10, one more than Asensio. From there you find goals from the rest of the squad, with only Coentrao missing. Defenders, strikers, substitutes, starters. Everyone contributes goals. This is the work of Zidane.