Zidane is still looking: Three games, three teams, three systems and 17 starters Real Madrid Can't find the formula

Zinedine Zidane hasn't found his formula at Real Madrid this season. LaLiga Santander is just three gams old and the coach hasn't repeated a starting XI yet, featuring 17 different players from the start in the three matches.

Injuries have forced him to rely on a set block, but the changes have already been coming.

Zidane started with a 4-3-3 at Balidos against Celta Vigo, which delivered their only win of the season.

Alvaro Odriozola started on the right with Dani Carvajal suspended, while Vinicius and Gareth Bale flanked Karim Benzema in attack. Madrid won 3-1, and things looked okay.

But then he changed his setup for Valladolid, opting for a 4-2-3-1 with Isco and James Rodriguez starting. Dani Carvajal returned to the team and things went well, but Madrid lacked bite. He shifted to a 4-4-2, but the game ended 1-1.

That 4-4-2 returned for the third game. Luka Jovic and Benzema played up top and Lucas Vazquez started, as did Ferland Mendy. It went well, but Luka Modric's arrival in the second half didn't help things.

Seven untouchables

Despite the changes it's become clear that Zidane has a spine. Thibaut Courtois, Sergio Ramos, Raphael Varane, Casemiro, Toni Kroos, Bale and Benzema have started each game, even though the Welshman had a foot and a half in China a month ago.

Mendy and Jovic started on Sunday, but Eder Militao, Rodrygo and Hazard are all still untouched, with the latter two due to injury.

Zidane hasn't settled on a team, and will want to use the international break to do exactly that.