The Free Press Journal

Win bigger than WC for Zidane

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Zinedine Zidane claimed winning La Liga as Real Madrid coach surpasses his stellar achievemen­ts as a player and even lifting the Champions League in his debut season as coach last year.

Madrid claimed the Spanish title for a 33rd time as Cristiano Ronaldo struck his 40th goal of the season and Karim Benzema slotted home early in the second-half to secure a 2-0 win at Malaga on Sunday.

"It is the happiest day of my profession­al life by a distance," Zidane said after landing Madrid's first title in five years. "Right now I would like to stand up here and dance," he added in a press conference interrupte­d by Marcelo, Danilo, Casemiro, Lucas Vazquez and Alvaro Morata drowning their boss in champagne.

Zidane won the World Cup, European Championsh­ips and Champions League as one of the greatest players of his generation, but said the extra responsibi­lity that comes with being coach made his achievemen­ts all the greater.

"As coach of Real Madrid you know what the expectatio­ns are," he added.

"I have experience­d it as a player and that is why I say it is the happiest day of my profession­al life because being a coach changes everything.

"I have won everything with this club, this shirt but to win La Liga is the best of all.

"I live what I am doing with passion and what I have enjoyed the most is today because after nine or 10 months we have won La Liga."

Madrid edged out reigning champions Barcelona by just three points after the Catalans came from 2-0 down to beat Eibar 4-2 yesterday.

And Zidane highlighte­d his side's response from losing a thrilling El Clasico 3-2 to Barca with the last kick of the ball last month by winning their last six league games as the key to the title.

"The last six games, but for sure the last three have been key," added the Frenchman.

"To win 4-1 at home (against Sevilla), 4-1 away (at Celta) and then 2-0 here is spectacula­r."

 ??  ?? Real Madrid's head coach Zinedine Zidane is tossed by players at the end of the Spanish league football match against Malaga CF at La Rosaleda stadium in Malaga.
Real Madrid's head coach Zinedine Zidane is tossed by players at the end of the Spanish league football match against Malaga CF at La Rosaleda stadium in Malaga.

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