Zidane's five-man defensive wall Real Madrid First choice backline have let in four goals

Zinedine Zidane has evaluated his squad and designed a plan that is focused on his team's defensive organisation.

Aware that he lacks firepower in attack, he has solidified Real Madrid's backline in recent months.

There are five players who make up the core of his new-look Los Blancos defence.

Thibaut Courtois, Dani Carvajal, Raphael Varane, Sergio Ramos and Ferland Mendy are undisputed starters under the Frenchman.

When they have coincided on the pitch, Real Madrid have conceded just four goals in 1041 minutes, which means one goal per almost three games.

Only Villarreal, Real Sociedad and Osasuna have managed to beat Courtois with the five aforementioned defenders in the line-up.

Without them, however, the team have allowed in as many as 24 goals in 2049 minutes, meaning one goal every match.

With Nacho Fernandez, Eder Militao, Sergio Ramos and Marcelo in defence against Real Sociedad, Real Madrid were knocked out at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu after conceding four goals.

Mendy, specifically, has contributed a lot in defence and has become the first-choice left-back ahead of Marcelo who doesn't track back much.

Meanwhile, Courtois is aspiring for the Zamora prize, which hasn't been awarded to a Los Blancos goalkeeper in many years.