Real Madrid 3-2 Villarreal: 3 Tactics from Zinedine Zidane which won the game for Los Blancos

Real Madrid hosted Villarreal at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday and the home side came away with a 3-2 win. For Madrid, the goals were scored by Mariano Diaz and Jesus Vallejo. For Villarreal, the goals were Gerard Moreno and Jaume Costa.

In the first half, Madrid took an early lead as Mariano Diaz took his chance with a brilliant side-foot finish. Villarreal though equalized through Moreno's shot from just outside the box which beat Thibaut Courtouis. Before the half time whistle, Vallejo gave Madrid the lead after the ball pinballed in the Villarreal box.

In the second half, Madrid made their domination count as Diaz scored his second on the day. Villarreal got a late constellation as Costa beat Courtois from just outside the box again. All in all, it was a great performance from Zidane's men and in this slideshow, we take a look at the three tactics that won Real Madrid the game:

#3 Playing Mariano Diaz as the false nine

Real Madrid CF v Villarreal CF - La Liga

This is something we have seen from Karim Benzema as he often drops into midfield for the build-up play and against Villarreal, it was something that Mariano was doing very often. Mariano is a striker who always seems to find himself in goalscoring positions but on Sunday, we also saw the other side of Mariano's play.

He also scored two goals which just state my fact of him being a bonafide goal scorer. His first goal was a brilliant finish from the outside of his foot, while his second goal was a tap in. Diaz hasn't really proved himself of being worthy of that number 7 at Real Madrid but he also hasn't had many opportunities.

Diaz should be getting his opportunities after a performance like this and who knows, the young striker might even prove to be worthy of that number 7.

#2 Giving Daniel Carvajal and Marcelo freedom to play further upfield

In Zinedine Zidane's last tenure at Real Madrid, there was one highlight that everyone could see, the full-backs bombing forward. It was so good to see Marcelo and Carvajal get forward at every opportunity and sometimes play like wingers.

Marcelo, in particular, was looking so good when he got forward and I think he took many shots at goal which were saved by Villarreal's goalkeeper. The Brazilian full-back has had his worst season this year but in the last couple of matches under Zidane, he has been looking like his old self.

Carvajal has been one of the most consistent full-backs in world football for some time now and he got another assist to his name as he created Madrid's third goal. Madrid seems to have an identity under their French boss and that is something the Los Blancos would be happy about.

#1 Letting Brahim Diaz play in between the lines

Another tactic which we have seen prior from Zidane is the role that Brahim Diaz played against Villarreal. If you can make out, Isco was the man who played the role of roaming all over the pitch and finding spaces in between the midfield and defense of the opposition.

Brahim played his role to absolute perfection, cutting inside and vacating the space on the left side which allowed Marcelo to run forward in the space. Diaz was also working tirelessly without the ball and he got an assist for Madrid's first goal.

He also got close to scoring as well as his shot was saved by Andres Fernandez but unfortunately, for all his hard work, he couldn't get on the score sheet. But today Diaz showed exactly why Real Madrid signed him and if he keeps his performances up, he may get more opportunities next season.

Edited by Israel Lutete