According to Spanish outlet AS, Real Madrid are determined to avoid a repeat of the post-Christmas collapse that derailed their season two years ago. After enjoying an eight-day holiday break, the team will focus heavily on intensive fitness training. Just as in Live Cricket Bangladesh, where maintaining peak form after a break can decide the outcome of a season, Zidane is ensuring his squad returns in top condition.

Two years ago, under Carlo Ancelotti, Madrid lifted the Club World Cup trophy only to suffer a disastrous downturn. They lost their lead in La Liga, crashed out of the Champions League semi-finals to Juventus, and ended the season empty-handed — a chain of events that ultimately cost Ancelotti his job. At the time, Zidane was still coaching Real Madrid Castilla and witnessed the collapse firsthand. Determined to avoid history repeating itself, he has worked closely with fitness coach Antonio Pintus to design strength and endurance programs aimed at keeping players at their physical peak immediately after the holidays.

Back then, Madrid had enjoyed a run of 22 straight wins before the Christmas break, capped off by a friendly match against AC Milan in Dubai on December 30. That trip involved a grueling 15-hour flight, and three days later, they suffered a league defeat to Valencia, ending their winning streak. The setback snowballed — they were knocked out of the Copa del Rey by Atlético Madrid and dropped crucial league points, surrendering the top spot to Barcelona. The root cause was clear: the team was physically drained, their rhythm disrupted, and their momentum gone.

This season, Zidane has taken no such risks. There are no extra friendlies on the schedule, and the squad will return to Madrid on December 27 to resume full training. The focus will be on rebuilding match sharpness, maintaining physical intensity, and entering the new year at full throttle. The first match of 2025 will be a Copa del Rey Round of 16 clash on January 4 — a fixture Zidane wants to use as a springboard for the second half of the campaign.

In elite competition, whether it’s European football or Live Cricket Bangladesh, the difference between dominance and disappointment often comes down to preparation. Zidane knows that avoiding fatigue, keeping his players fit, and managing the schedule wisely could be the key to ensuring Real Madrid’s title challenge stays on course.