Real Madrid will play their first match since sacking Rafael Benitez after less than a year in charge when they play host to high-flying Deportivo La Coruña on Saturday. Los Merengues have gambled by placing former playing legend Zinedine Zidane in charge of first-team affairs, with the Frenchman's only previous managerial experience having come at the club's reserve team. It will be fascinating to see if he manages to make the step up to the top level.
Real Madrid vs. Deportivo La Coruña 2016 live stream: Time, TV schedule and how to watch online
Zinedine Zidane will make his Real Madrid managerial debut at home to Deportivo La Coruña on Saturday.
Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images
Deportivo certainly shouldn’t prove easy opponents for Madrid, with Victor Sánchez’s Galician outfit having enjoyed a solid first half of their campaign. Despite finishing only two places clear of the relegation zone last season, they’re currently up in the top half of the table. They’re sure to take confidence from the recent turmoil at Real Madrid, and will be looking to get their first result at the Bernabéu since a victory in 2004.
Key factor: Will there be a Zidane effect?
Real Madrid will clearly be hoping that hiring Zidane will have a catalyzing effect on both the players and supporters, helping to rectify an atmosphere that had become increasingly poisonous since the arrival of Benítez. Zidane is doubtless a legend at the Bernabéu, having spent five years there during his playing days where he won a league title, a Champions League and a host of other individual awards. However, whether he has the tactical nous to compete with a very strong Barcelona remains to be seen.
Recent history
Real Madrid have rather unsurprisingly dominated recent fixtures between these sides, winning four of their last competitive meetings. Not since 2011 has Deportivo managed to earn a point against the Merengues, and not since 2008 have they managed a win. One must go all the way back to 2004, when Zidane was playing for Madrid, for the last time Deportivo earned a win away at the Bernabéu.
Real Madrid injuries and suspensions
Out: Mateo Kovačić (suspended). In doubt: None.
Deportivo La Coruña injuries and suspensions
Out: Celso Borges (fractured toe); Agosto Fabri (knee). In doubt: Alejandro Arribas (head); Fede Cartabia, Cani (ankle).
Madrid’s only certain absentee is suspended midfielder Kovačić; they should otherwise have a full-strength team available. The same can’t be said of Deportivo, who will certainly be without Borges and Fabri, though are waiting on the fitness of defender Arribas and midfielders Cartabia and Cani.
Match date/time: Sat., Jan. 9, 2:30 p.m. ET, 8:30 p.m. local
Venue: Estadio Santiago Bernabéu, Madrid, Spain
TV: beIN Sports (US and Canada - England); beIN Sports en Español (US and Canada - Spanish); Sky Sports 1/HD (UK)
Online: beIN Sports Connect (US and Canada); fuboTV (US); Sky Go (UK)
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