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Tag: Zidane

  • What Zidane asks of Vinicius Jr and I – Rodrygo

    What Zidane asks of Vinicius Jr and I – Rodrygo

    Real Madrid attacker Rodrygo Goes has revealed a switch in tactics from coach Zinedine Zidane since the New Year.

    It had been wondered whether Zidane would ever fully trust Rodrygo and Vinicius Jr from a tactical perspective, but the Brazilian is clear on what his coach is asking of him at the moment.

    “He asks us to be organised and to press high up the pitch,” Rodrygo said.

    “It’s better to press forward because you’re already close to the goal if we win the ball back.

    “You have to be attentive to the defenders and your full-backs need to always be close to the opponents goal.”

  • I’m completely lost about Hazard injury – Zidane

    I’m completely lost about Hazard injury – Zidane

    Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane admits he’s at a loss to explain the injury woes of Eden Hazard.

    Hazard has suffered another setback after featuring in victory over Elche and is out of their Champions League showdown with Atalanta.

    Zidane lamented, “He will not be in condition. These are things that I cannot explain. I hope it is a small thing. Something is happening with him, since he has never been injured and this is now new.

    “We all want to help him and I hope that he will soon be with us again.”

    The Frenchman added: “I tell them to wait. The fans must be calm because we know the player he is. Everyone wants to see him play. You have to be patient and wait.”

  • Zidane leaves Madrid door open for Ronaldo

    Zidane leaves Madrid door open for Ronaldo

    Zinedine Zidane has left the door ajar to bringing Juventus star Cristiano Ronaldo back to Real Madrid.

    Ronaldo’s agent Jorge Mendes is said to have sounded out Real about a return last week.

    “Yes, it may be,” Zidane replied when asked about Ronaldo. “We know Cristiano, we know the person he is and everything he has done here.

    “But now he’s a Juventus player and we must respect this.

    “Now, let’s see what the future will be. I was lucky enough to coach him and he is very impressive. Right now, he’s helping Juventus.”

    Zidane was speaking at his Champions League presser ahead of their round of 16 second-leg clash with Atalanta.

  • La Liga: Title race now wide open – Zidane

    La Liga: Title race now wide open – Zidane

    Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane insists they’re in the title race.

    Discussing Monday’s opponents, Zidane had praise for Real Sociedad’s style.

    “They’re a team who know how to play well,” he said.

    “We’ll be at home and we want to keep collecting points.

    “The season is long and there are still many matches left.

    “We haven’t won anything yet, so we have to continue.

    “There are 42 points in play. Our focus is on tomorrow and only that. It’s not on three weeks ahead.

    “The title race is still open. You say that today it’s a three-team title race, but tomorrow you might say another thing.

    “In critical moments, this team prevails.”

  • Zidane has message for Bale at Tottenham

    Zidane has message for Bale at Tottenham

    Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane had a message for Gareth Bale yesterday.

    Zidane is aware of the tension between Real’s loan player and Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho after Bale asked not to be considered for their FA Cup defeat at Everton.

    Zidane said, “As a coach, I wish him all the best because he’s a Real Madrid player.

    “I don’t know what’s going on there and I can’t comment on it.

    “The only thing I hope is that it’s going well and that he gets on well, the same applies to all Real Madrid players.”

  • Pundit tells Zidane: Time to be honest and leave Madrid

    Pundit tells Zidane: Time to be honest and leave Madrid

    El Chiringuito pundit Josep Pedrerol says it’s time for Zinedine Zidane to leave Real Madrid.

    Zidane is under huge pressure at Real after last night’s Copa del Rey defeat at Alcoyano – just a week after losing the semifinal of the Supercopa de Espana to Athletic Bilbao.

    Pedrerol snapped: “I was one of those who said that Florentino (Perez, Real president) shouldn’t kick Zidane out, because of the legend, what he has done etc … Now I think Florentino has to see the images with Zidane and ask him ‘Explain this image to me before extra-time? You have to explain to me why you went through everything, do I pay you only for 90 minutes?’

    “Given that image, Zidane has to be honest and go home.”

    One of the most criticised aspects of the Frenchman was his attitude during the Copa, with little expressiveness when his team reached extra time.

  • I don’t know what will happen with Ramos – Zidane

    I don’t know what will happen with Ramos – Zidane

    Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane admits he’s unsure if Sergio Ramos will stay.

    A dispute over contract promises all but sealed Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure to Juventus after a trophy-laden career in the Spanish capital, and fans are afraid that they will lose yet another talismanic figure.

    “Are we going to have a Cristiano case? I don’t know what will happen with Ramos,” Zidane explained in his pre-match press conference.

    “He is here with us at the moment.

    “We’re just focused on tomorrow’s game.”

    Karim Benzema is a player also causing headaches for Zidane, not for his performances on the pitch, but the fact the forward has been called to trial in France over an alleged blackmail plot.

    “He has my full support,” he added.

    “This is not an easy situation, that’s clear, but I see that he is fine and concentrating on his work.

    “I hope that this will get fixed for everyone, Karim works hard and that’s what he enjoys doing.”

  • Zidane isolating, after contact tests positive for COVID-19

    Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane is isolating after a close contact of his tested positive for COVID-19, a Spanish newspaper reported on Thursday.

    However, Real Madrid did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the report.

    The report had it that Zidane learned of the contact testing positive on Thursday morning.

    He subsequently did not attend Real Madrid’s training session ahead of Saturday’s La Liga game away to Osasuna.

    The report added that the Frenchman had undergone a COVID-19 test and was awaiting the result, although La Liga must approve his return to work.

    Its protocols dictate that a person should isolate for three days and then get a negative test before returning to training or take part in a match.

  • I won’t ask for new Madrid contract – Zidane

    I won’t ask for new Madrid contract – Zidane

    Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane says a new contract isn’t on his mind.

    The Frenchman has managed to turn around the team’s recent crisis with four wins on the bounce that has their outlook in both LaLiga Santander and the Champions League appearing a lot brighter.

    “I have nothing in mind, I have a contract until 2022 and I will not ask for anything,” he told the press.

    “I am fortunate to say that I am at the best club in the world. I hope the players stay.”

    He was not only asked about his own future, but that of his captain Sergio Ramos.

    “He is looking well, because he is convinced that he will continue and that is the most important thing. I see him playing football for many years because he is someone who takes great care of himself,” Zidane said of his skipper.

    “If you want to continue and take care of yourself, you have a great chance of continuing for a long time and I’m not surprised by what he does.”

  • Zinedine Zidane denies pushing Isco out of Madrid

    Zinedine Zidane denies pushing Isco out of Madrid

    Real Madrid manager. Zinedine Zidane insists he isn’t pushing Isco out of the club.

    Indeed, Zidane admits he hasn’t given the midfielder a good chance to prove himself this season.

    Ahead of their clash with Athletic Bilbao, Zizou said: “He’s going to be important.

    “Lately he’s not playing much, I don’t give him the opportunity to show the player he is. It’s a specific moment. I’m sorry for my players because I love these players very much, I’ll never forget what I’ve lived with these players.

    “He must work. I can’t say anything about what is being talked about because we don’t control it.”

    Zidane continued: “Maybe I am doing things wrong. Players always want to be put on. Sometimes there are difficulties in a game and it is not easy to win, there are no small teams today. 15 or 20 years ago if you played well, you won the game. Today that doesn’t exist.

    “We always want to get on, win … But sometimes there is a rival, difficulties. And you have to overcome them, that’s what we want every game.”