ZZ is the calmest man in Madrid
Zidane isn’t feeling heat ahead of crucial derby in race to see off Barca
ZINEDINE ZIDANE was brilliant, devious and mischievous while he used the build-up to the Madrid derby to set the tone for one of the most important matches of his life.
Real Madrid, shockingly, have only won the Spanish title once since 2008.
Almost as startlingly, they have lost each of their last three derby matches against Atletico at the Bernabeu – on each occasion the Frenchman was either assistant to Carlo Ancelotti or head coach himself.
Today’s titanic clash holds at least half the key to Los Blancos winning La Liga given that they have a two-point lead, a game in hand and the only brutal test left in the league is against Barca in a couple of weeks.
This is an “all-in” game. Win and you’ll be able to hear deflation all the way from Catalunya to the capital.
Barcelona, who’ll be watching from the Costa del Sol ahead of playing Malaga, and probably wearing red and white Atletico shirts, desperately need Zidane’s lot to drop points. So there’s a lot riding on this match.
Don’t forget, too, that this Real v Atleti match has twice been the Champions League Final in the last three years, that Madrid have twice broken Cholo Simeone’s heart thanks to extratime wins or that last May the Argentinian warrior king coach actually thought that his spirit was broken too and that he felt it might be time to quit.
Yet if having to win a home derby for the first time since 2012 to put a chokehold on the title carries pressure you’d never have been able to tell by listening to Zidane as he laid out his battle plans to the media.
Already impressive because of his glittering career, Zidane also impresses with his immense patience and good humour.
Asked about a row with James Rodriguez, Isco being spotted eating a packet of FC Barcelona crisps, his natural optimism or whether it’s possible to cope with Atletico’s midfield while still playing Bale, Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo up front Zidane just oozed calm, intelligent tolerance.
When Zidane was in charge of Real Madrid Castilla, the club’s B team, it wasn’t obligatory to hold pre or post-match press conferences so he often did away with the latter.
As a player, he preferred to do his talking on the pitch as he was naturally shy, far more preoccupied with training well, playing excellently and maintaining a good family life.
These days he treats all the various meetings with the media in a manner which gives just a hint of why players like Toni Kroos will admit that they love playing for him.
The German recently revealed Zidane taking over training after Rafa Benitez left had an instant impact. That there was an injection of confidence, calm and enthusiasm. Kroos – whose form has been the best of his career since Zizou took over in 2016 – admits he makes him feel a better, more valued player.
So, just as he’d finished explaining that part of his daily enthusiasm wasn’t just the salary, competitive edge or the chance to win trophies but the realisation he was damn lucky to work in a profession which he loves, Zidane chose to drop something of a bombshell.
Asked about Madrid’s summer planning he chucked in the idea that he might not still be at Madrid after June.
Talking about the “cost” of managing this squad, admitting that there’s “good and bad” about such a pressurised role, he said: “I’m not planning for next term because I’m not sure whether I will or won’t still be here.”
Albeit it’s tomorrow’s tactics which are all-important in the short term, that a defeat would give a shudder of “oh no, we’ve seen this before” from Madrid fans who have become used to kissing the title goodbye and watching Barca celebrate, this was still a tactical power play.
Fans have been quick to jeer and whistle – particularly, but not exclusively, to Ronaldo. The idea that Zizou might consider walking away will focus minds and galvanise support.
Zidane said: “The Bernabeu fans will play a fundamental part in this game – I expect them to ‘turn up’ for this vital last part of the season.”
When considering what life would be like if Zidane walked away in June should also focus president Florentino Perez’s mind more towards giving the great man what he wants.
So a power play from a real player. But nothing will give more strength to his arm than somehow dealing with the noisy neighbours. If they want to win the title this is a match Zidane, Ronaldo, Bale and Co dare not lose.