Real Madrid's revolt was supposed to have centered on the attack, but defensive stiffness formed the basis of the team's return to domestic triumphs, before being received at home to Bruges today in the second round of Group A of the Champions League.

At the end of last season, after the return of Zinedine Zidane to assume the task of supervising the Madrid club in the hope of the beginning of a new era after a disappointing season in which Real lost their European title and retreat locally behind Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, newspapers in Madrid surveyed fans of the Royal Club for the most prominent strikers who hope to see them At the stadium «Santiago Bernabeu».

Harry Kane, Egypt's Mohamed Salah, Argentine Sergio Aguero, Mauro Icardi and Poland's Robert Lewandowski are some of the names in the polls, but in the end Serbian Luca Jovic landed in the Spanish capital from Eintracht Frankfurt, Germany, but he is struggling to prove himself, and is still looking Through the net.

Newcomer Eden Hazar, the club's most vocal signing at the capital this summer (around 100 million euros), has not been any better, as many thought the former Chelsea player would be able to fill the void left by the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo to Juventus. The Belgian, however, fell victim to injury, retreating and is still in an adjustment period.

"We would like to score because it would set him free, but there is no problem with him," Zidane said of the Belgian on Saturday on the sidelines of the league match against arch-rivals Atletico.

However, the offensive stalemate that accompanied the match (which ended in a goalless draw) was a clear indication that Real were relying on their defense to ease the pressure and lack of attacking efficiency on their French coach.

Zidane said after the «Derby» capital, that his team «was homogeneous and again did not receive the goals .. We missed a little of our strength in terms of offensive, but we can develop».

For the first time, Real have kept a clean sheet in three consecutive league games under Zidane. In front of Sevilla (1-0), Osasuna (2-0) and Atletico, the Madrid defense was solid with one shot on goal. "Defense is very important, and it is essential," Zidane said.

Zidane sounded the alarm after a 3-0 defeat by Paris St Germain in the first round of the Champions League, the worst continental loss for the French coach since taking over at the White Castle.

They also conceded two goals against Levante (3-2) and Villarreal (2-2) in La Liga, so it became clear the shift in defense in recent games.

Real Madrid have struggled in the past season with a lack of goalscoring efficiency, but doubts have also been raised this season about the defense as the trio of Sergio Ramos, France's Rafael Varan and Brazilian Marcelo are away. However, the loss at the Parc des Princes stadium was followed by the restoration of Ramos' standard form (missed the match against the Paris club to be suspended) and the team's clean sheet in their last three domestic matches.

Zidane's biggest win was in the midfield, with Uruguayan Federico Valverde, who got his chance against Osasuna, shining on the defensive side to impose himself on the starting line-up. Valverde's performance against Osasuna prompted Zidane to pay tribute to a player who "made an important match".

Valverde also shone in front of the three strikers, with Zidane repeating praise for Gareth Bale, who was just around the corner from the summer transfer window, before the Frenchman relied on him on the bench during the team's preparations for the new season.

Zidane built his skepticism about Bale from his previous level and convinced the team could not rely on the Welsh international for defense. But against Sevilla, the latter helped keep his team ahead with a goal by Frenchman Karim Benzema, by sending a dangerous ball in front of his team in the deadly time.

"Gareth Bell is doing well," Zidane said. "Above all, it helps a lot in defense, and that's obvious." "The team is more comfortable when we all defend."

Real have regained their defensive identity after a summer that saw their collapse during the warm-up matches and the start of the season.

Zidane will face the challenge of winning at home to Borouge to regain his chances of competing at the top of the group, after losing to PSG, who will face him again in November.

Neuer is ready to respond to Stijn at the Spurs summit

Bayern Munich captain and goalkeeper Manuel Neuer is in the second round of the Champions League Group B match against Tottenham Hotspur in the second round of the Champions League on Wednesday. Stegen.

Today's clash in London is crucial for Bayern and Tottenham at the top of the group, as they are the favorites to win the last two at the expense of the Red Star and Olympiakos.

However, Bayern are in better spirits than coach Mauricio Pochettino's side, starting their quest to regain the continental title that has been absent since 2013 with a big victory over the Red Star 3-0, while Tottenham overturned a two-goal lead at Olympiacos and ultimately a 2-2 draw .

Neuer hopes to take advantage of the attention given to this confrontation, which is considered the strongest of Tuesday's games, to confirm that it is still the number one option among the three woods of the national team, in light of the heated competition between him and Barcelona goalkeeper Ter Stegen.

The 33-year-old must now perform in London far better than he did in the league on Saturday at bottom club Paderborn, with two goals conceded, one from a distance, without the Bavarian club denying the match 3-2. Standings for the first time this season.

Matches today

The first group

Real Madrid - Club Bruges

Galatasaray - Paris Saint - Germain

the second group

Red Star - Olympiacos

Tottenham Hotspur - Bayern Munich

The third group

Atalanta - Shakhtar

Dynamo Zagreb Manchester City

The fourth group

Locomotive - Atletico Madrid

Juventus - Bayer Leverkusen