Embattled coach on the precipice
HIS JOB IS ON THE LINE AFTER LEGANES SHOCK Champions League tie could be Real boss’ defining moment.
AReal Madrid slip-up in Valencia led to Zinedine Zidane being appointed coach, but another setback for the reigning Spanish and European champions at the Mestalla this weekend would leave the Frenchman hanging on for dear life.
Zidane’s promotion to the role of coach dates back to January 2016, a day after Real had twice squandered the lead in a 2-2 draw at Valencia, costing Rafa Benitez his job.
Benitez was ruthlessly dispensed with at the first opportunity just six months after his appointment, but Zidane is still in charge at the Santiago Bernabeu despite a dreadful recent run culminating in Wednesday’s Copa del Rey quarterfinal exit at the hands of Leganes.
Zidane admitted after that game that his job is now on the line, with his team now out of the Cup as well as languishing in fourth place in La Liga, 19 points behind leaders Barcelona.
However, the aura around Zidane – whose first two years were soaked in success – is such that he looks set to at least be given the upcoming Champions League last-16 tie against Paris Saint-Germain to save his job.
“If at the end of the year we win the Champions League it will be an incredible year,” Cristiano Ronaldo – whose own decline has been a source of huge concern – told Chinese football app Dongqiudi. “We are disappointed, we are not happy but we have to work towards the Champions League, the most important trophy.”
Rather more focus on the league may be wise, though – Real are as close to the relegation zone in terms of points as they are to Barcelona.
Indeed they are five points behind third-placed Valencia, albeit with a game in hand, so can ill-afford to lose today, especially with Villarreal and Sevilla coming up The spotlight on Real has taken the focus away from Atletico Madrid, but Diego Simeone’s side are underperforming too and also crashed out the Copa del Rey, losing at Sevilla on Tuesday.
“The responsibility is absolutely mine. Now we need to improve, and we have four months left,” said Simeone, whose team host struggling Las Palmas on Sunday.
Meanwhile, French defender Aymeric Laporte was named in Athletic Bilbao’s squad which faced Basque neighbours Eibar late last night.
Manchester City are reportedly ready to pay the 23-year-old’s €67 million release clause with the transfer deadline looming.
But Athletic coach Cuco Ziganda said: “I am counting on Laporte. He has told me he is calm and that he is training. He has not told me he is leaving.” – AFP