Failure in the final could see Zidane lose his job, but why is this always the case at Real Madrid?
Zinedine Zidane has brought Los Blancos to the brink of a third successive Champions League title, an achievement unheard of in football’s modern era. For the overtly puristic lot, he has done so without the necessary level of panache – and for others, he is merely an average manager riding his demonic luck. In reality, however, the Frenchman is precisely the kind of motivator Real Madrid have always needed.
Not long ago, Europe had seemingly ended its long-standing romance with Madrid. A decade had passed and countless high-profile names had fallen victim to the club’s managerial merry-go-round. In stepped Carlo Ancelotti to break the curse, and he did exactly that by bringing home the coveted La Decima. Florentino Pérez and his axe were waiting to pounce nonetheless as the following season’s failures were enough to erase Carlo’s past successes.
It was an infuriating decision for club faithful, and the appointment of Rafa Benitez as his successor only rubbed salt into their wounds. The players didn’t gel with Rafa either, and his tenure unsurprisingly lasted a measly six months. With the team struggling for form in both domestic and continental competitions, the club looked inward and found their saviour. Zizou, who was still coaching the club’s youth team, was immediately promoted to the first team – and was tasked with the responsibility of saving the club’s season.
Surely enough, he managed to pull it off. An incredible unbeaten streak in the league saw Real Madrid close the gap with Barcelona to just one point – and a penalty shoot-out victory over neighbours Atlético Madrid saw them clinch another Champions League title. It was a fairytale beginning for Zidane – and as it turned out, there were more festivities to come. Another European triumph was accompanied by the La Liga title in 2016/17 and the world was in awe of Madrid’s newly-formed dynasty.
9 – Under Zinedine Zidane, Real Madrid have never been knocked out in the Champions League, progressing in all nine of their two-legged Champions League ties as well as winning the two finals they’ve appeared in. Invincible. pic.twitter.com/Ahw2AzIS4L
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) May 1, 2018
Almost inevitably, things at the Bernabéu eventually turned sour. This season’s early Spanish Super Cup triumph was followed by dismal performances in the league, and the title race was over before it ever really began. Ronaldo’s absence due to suspension was a huge factor, as was the sudden influx of injuries – but the blame was only going to fall on one man. Zidane was called out for being a tactical novice and murmurs of his sacking only grew louder. A humiliating home defeat to Barça added fuel to fire, and the trigger was waiting to be pulled.
Evidently, the club gave their manager one last chance – and he took it resolutely. One tough draw in Europe was followed by another and Madrid ultimately had to see off PSG, Juventus, and Bayern Munich en route to Kiev. And yet, there are still detractors – those who would rather see him replaced by someone more ‘conventional’. There seems to be a lack of understanding over what he offers Real Madrid, but the answer is fairly simple. Zidane is not as tactically astute as the likes of Mourinho and Guardiola, but he is the only one who has lived the life of a Real Madrid footballer.
Zidane was the embodiment of the first Galácticos project, and he knows what it feels like to be in that dressing room. He has seen egos clash and careers topple, but most importantly – he has experienced Madrid’s road to success first-hand. Perhaps that’s why his players look up him – and more importantly, why they feel valued and protected. Their manager is the first to defend them and praise them, but the last to demean them. It’s an almost mythical understanding; one that does not deserve to be quashed so abruptly. More importantly, it’s foolish to fix what isn’t broken, especially when said instrument continues to reach unprecedented heights.