Madrid have doubts over fitness coach as Zidane's team suffers injury crisis
Dupont only joined recently but there are questions about his methods
Gregory Dupont arrived at Real Madrid this summer as a star signing thanks to his capacity to work with statistics and data to improve player performance. His methods helped France win the World Cup in 2018.
But, according to El Confidencial, the honeymoon period is over. The fitness coach's preparation in preseason was not good enough and a number of muscle injuries followed: Hazard, Mendy, Brahim, Isco... Weeks have passed and the situation remains the same. Some players are back but others are now out.
The calendar is about to get tough. They debut in the Champions League against PSG on Wednesday and have league games against Sevilla and Atletico Madrid coming up. Luka Modric, Isco, Fede Valverde and Marcelo are all on the treatment table. Add to that list Marco Asensio, who injured his knee ligaments in the summer.
LACK OF intensiTY
As well as the injuries, the team's performances are also under scrutiny. Against Levante, they were fresh in the first half but dipped after the break and had to hold on to win 3-2. Tiredness or a lack of intensity? It could be a combination of the two and that has a lot to do with the fitness coach and the type of exercises they're doing.
Zidane, who can see the team is not running as it should, has demanded an immediate improvement in his players' fitness. He knows a lack of rhythm and intensity will be punished if they can't compete for 90 minutes.
Dupont arrived to replace Antonio Pintus, the club's previous fitness coach. Pintus is now at Inter, who have started the season in great shape. Not like Dupont's Madrid, who are accumulating injuries and lacking intensity.
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