Zidane is overconfident and put too much trust in some players

Zinedine Zidane was overconfident and put too much trust in some players. Because if the coach is to blame for putting out a line-up with too many changes, then the players on the pitch also have to take their share of responsibility.

If James Rodriguez doesn't play, it's for a reason. If Marcelo is now the clear backup to Ferland Mendy, it's because of something.

The Colombian, for example, could not imagine playing in as important a game as a one-legged quarter-final, yet on Thursday night he started at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu.

James' performance was very unimpressive, showing that he doesn't deserve more minutes than he's getting, but what is inexplicable is that Zidane, who didn't want the playmaker in the summer, entrusted him with such a responsibility.

The decision to play Nacho Fernandez and Marcelo as the right- and left-back respectively backfired, too.

You can't blame the Brazilian for being in poor shape physically as he was still running up the flank and putting a cross into the area in the final minute of the match. Going backwards, however, is another issue.

On Marcelo's wing, as well as Nacho's, Real Madrid looked vulnerable as Real Sociedad were able to attack them and draw them out of position time and time again.

Zidane always boasts about having a big squad in his press conferences, but given the example of Gareth Bale, who can stay in the stands for the rest of the season without anyone missing him, it's hard to understand his reluctance to understand that there are players who simply shouldn't play in matches that are as important as Thursday night's was.

Real Madrid's starting XI was a gift to Real Sociedad, while conversely La Real boss Imanol Alguacil treated this tie with the upmost respect.

It is hard to imagine that Zidane would put out a line-up like he did on Thursday in a LaLiga Santander or Champions League match.

And thus the question is: if he doesn't trust them to play for one of those two trophies, why did he put the Copa del Rey in their hands?