The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Zinedine Zidane

Isco, Bale get Zidane’s second coming off to winning start for Real Madrid

Zinedine Zidane’s second spell as Real Madrid coach got off to a promising start with a 2-0 win at home to Celta Vigo in La Liga on Saturday.

The two goals came thanks to goals from Isco and Gareth Bale, who had fallen out of favour with previous coach Santiago Solari.

Spain midfielder Isco was handed his first start in the league since October by returning hero Zidane and broke the deadlock in the 62nd.

He only had to tap in a low cross from Karim Benzema at close range.

Luka Modric had a goal ruled out for offside earlier in the second half and Bale, who had struck the crossbar in the first period, sealed victory with a shot in off the post in the 77th minute.

The goal further lifted the mood at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Real are third in the league standings with 54 points after 28 games, two behind second-placed Atletico Madrid who visit Athletic Bilbao later on Saturday.

They are nine points behind leaders Barcelona who play at Real Betis on Sunday.

This was not quite as resounding a performance as the 5-0 win over Deportivo La Coruna in Zidane’s first game as Real coach in 2016.

Yet it was still a therapeutic win for a team which had looked lost since the Frenchman announced his resignation after last year’s Champions League final.

Zidane had said on his return that changes were needed at Madrid after haphazard results had seen Julen Lopetegui sacked in October.

Lopetegui’s replacement Solari was also dismissed and the team was left with no trophies left to fight for this season.

The Frenchman’s line-up showed he was serious as he brought back goalkeeper Keylor Navas, as well as Isco and Marcelo into the side.

Read Also: Real Madrid reappoints Zidane as coach after sacking Solari

Those were players who had all started in the Champions League final win over Liverpool but had been cast aside by Solari.

Navas was called into action early to palm away a goal-bound header from Maxi Gomez, but Madrid had the better of the first half.

They nearly took the lead when Bale smashed against the bar, while Sergio Ramos and Toni Kroos also came close.

Madrid looked to have gone ahead when Modric’s shot bounced into the net.

The goal was however ruled out after a pitchside Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review ruled Raphael Varane had been offside and obstructing Celta goalkeeper Ruben Blanco’s view.

Isco soon brought a smile back to the Bernabeu faithful by guiding Benzema’s cross into the net after an impressive run by Marco Asensio.

Much has been said about whether Zidane’s return could mean the end of Bale’s career in Madrid, but the Wales forward capped a strong display by sealing victory.

He has now scored three goals in his last two games under Zidane and further adding to the celebratory mood

NAN

March 16, 2019
Zidane, wife go RED in London

FRANCE great, Zinedine Zidane and his wife made the most of their trip to London, posing with red telephone boxes and buses.

With his wife already looking great in a red top, Zinedine could soon follow suit and make his stay in England permanent. If he had any spare change he might have used the phone box to give Ed Woodward a call.

Despite leading Real Madrid to a third consecutive Champions League trophy, he was pipped to the Coach of the Year award by fellow countryman Didier Deschamps who led France to World Cup glory in Russia in the summer.

Zidane’s short managerial career has been just as successful as his playing days, winning three Champions League trophies as well as a La Liga title to his name.

Having won it all at Madrid, Zidane stepped down so that he could look for a new challenge. Considering his record, he has been linked with Jose Mourinho’s struggling Manchester United who were knocked out of the Carabao Cup on penalties on Tuesday night by Derby.

However, it now looks like the French manager could cross the pond to America after being linked with the new MLS side, Inter Miami owned by David Beckham.

Beckham and Zidane played together at Real Madrid and could reunite after the pair held talks with Beckham obviously keen to bring a big name manager on board.

However, reports also claimed that Zidane told close friends he expects to be offered the Manchester United job. With things looking even worse for the Red Devils, that looks like a real possibility.

September 29, 2018
Manchester United: Zidane may replace Mourinho

Zinedine Zidane has hinted he will be returning to work soon following multiple reports that he is favourite to replace Jose Mourinho if the Portuguese is sacked by Manchester United.

The former France midfielder has been without a job since resigning from his position as Real Madridboss after helping them to a third consecutive Champions League crown in May.

But speaking with Spanish broadcaster TVE, he revealed that he’ll back in the game very shortly.

Read Also: Champion Zidane bids Madrid shocking farewell

Zidane said: ‘Yes, surely. Soon I will return to training because it is what I like and is what I have done all my life.’

Zidane’s speculation first started after a frustrating summer in the transfer market and a poor start to the season which has seen Mourinho’s team lost two of their first four games.

A recent report by The Mirror claimed that Zidane was already preparing for life in the Old Trafford hot-seat by compiling a list of transfer targets.

Toni Kroos, Thiago Alcantara, James Rodriguez and Edinson Cavani are said to be among a list of names that Zidane would like to join him in Manchester should he be appointed as Mourinho’s successor.

September 10, 2018
Zidane Quits Real Madrid

Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane has announced his exit after guiding the team to win the UEFA champions league last Saturday.

Zidane who has been in charge of the Bernabeu side for two-and-a half years told a news conference today of his decision not to continue next season.

“I’ve taken the decision not to continue next year as Real Madrid coach. “This is the right moment for everyone, it might seem a bit strange, but it had to be done for the good of everyone, the players, the club, and myself.

“This team must keep winning, and it needs a change after three years, another voice, another method of working.”

Zidane shocked the world by claiming a third consecutive Champions League title with Real Madrid after defeating Liverpool 3-1.

The former French international has won the title five times, once as a player and assistant coach before the historic treble as manager.

May 31, 2018
Zidane laments as Villarreal compound Madrid woes

Zinedine Zidane has raised alarm over negative things being said about his team in the buildup to Saturday’s tie against Villarreal which Madrid surprising lost by a lone goal.

After watching his side lose 1-0 to Villarreal he might need to borrow some super-sized headphones from one of his players to avoid hearing more of such negative comments that are likely to come in torrents in the coming days.

Madrid missed chance after chance in the first half and paid the price in the second 45 minutes when Villarreal raced away to score the winner with three minutes left. Barcelona could be 19 points clear of them if they beat Real Sociedad on Sunday.

Pablo Fornals chipped Keylor Navas for the goal after the keeper had saved well from Enes Unal following Denis Cheryshev’ breakaway and cross from the left.

There was a hint of offside but there was also a complete lack of conviction in the way Madrid tracked back the lightning attack and total belief in the Villarreal forwards who had turned defending a corner into a goal.

With the rain coming down on a drenched Zidane in his technical area the megaphone played the Madrid hymn on full-time drowning out the whistles from those in the stadium who had not already left the ground. But there will be nothing to drown out the critics who will now go for the Madrid coach

They came into the game on 32 goals in 17 games – the worst return in 11 seasons and there were no signs that they would improve on the dismal record.

Cristiano Ronaldo was the principal culprit. He has just four goals in the league this season and has missed chances that in previous seasons he would have buried already with his hands raised in celebration winking at the crowd.

January 13, 2018
Bale ruled out of 2018 World Cup qualifiers

Wales forward Gareth Bale has been ruled out of their crucial last two 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Georgia and Ireland due to a calf injury.

Bale, who missed Real Madrid’s weekend league game against Espanyol, had arrived with the rest of the Wales squad on Sunday and attended an awards dinner in Cardiff.

“But following dialogue with Real Madrid, Bale was sent for a scan and results confirmed that he wouldn’t be fit to feature,” the Football Association of Wales ( FAW ) said on Tuesday in a statement.

“Barnsley striker Tom Bradshaw will now join up with the rest of the squad later today.”

Bale is the most high-profile player in the Welsh side and the country’s hopes of qualifying for next year’s World Cup in Russia are still hanging in the balance.

Chris Coleman’s team are second in Group D, four points behind leaders Serbia and one clear of Ireland in third.

They take on hosts Georgia on Friday and host Ireland the following Monday in their final qualifier.

Wales need to top the group to secure an automatic place in Russia but will go through to the playoffs if they finish second.

Bale had been doubtful after Real manager Zinedine Zidane reported the player was suffering a small calf strain.

The 28-year-old has scored 26 goals in 68 appearances for his country and was instrumental in their run to the semi-finals of Euro 2016.

NAN

October 3, 2017
C. Ronaldo suspended for five games

Real Madrid’s forward Cristiano Ronaldo has been suspended for five games after being sent off the football pitch in Real Madrid’s 3-1 win against Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup first leg on Sunday.

The football icon was initially given a one-match ban for being shown two yellow cards and further attracted four for pushing the referee in the back after he had been sent off.

The bookings at the Nou Camp were for taking off his shirt to celebrate his goal to make it 2-1 and for a dive.

Consequentially, Ronaldo will miss Wednesday’s second leg of Spanish Super Cup and La Liga on the 20 of August. Other games are Valencia (h) – La Liga on August 27, Levante (h) – La Liga on September 9 and Real Sociedad (a) La Liga on September 17.

The 32year old player has only 10 days to appeal the decision against him.

However, the Portugal international will be able to play in the Champions League but will not return to domestic action until 20 September against Real Betis.

Reacting to Ronaldo’s second yellow card shown for diving eight minutes from time when he went down inside the area under pressure from Samuel Umtiti, Madrid boss, Zinedine Zidane after the game said: “Ronaldo’s sending-off annoys me because even if it is not a penalty, the card is harsh,” adding that the club would see what it could do so that he is available on Wednesday.

It would be recalled that this marks Ronaldo’s 10th red card of his career and the two yellow cards on Sunday came within two minutes.

In his post-match report, the referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea wrote: “Once shown the red card, Ronaldo pushed me lightly as a sign of his disapproval.”

August 15, 2017
Record-breaking Real Madrid beat Juventus, retain Champions League title

Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice as holders Real Madrid of Spain on Saturday emerged champions of Europe for a record 12th time after overwhelming 10-man Juventus of Italy.

In a high-quality UEFA Champions League final match in Cardiff, the Portugal captain put Real Madrid ahead with a first-time finish from 16 yards before Mario Mandzukic equalised.

He scored from just inside the area with a sensational overhead kick beyond Keylor Navas, a goal that should stand out as one of the best.

But Real took control of the game after the interval, with Brazilian midfielder Casemiro’s deflected shot restoring the lead.

Ronaldo then sealed victory for Zinedine Zidane’s side after poking home from close range following Luka Modric’s cross.

Juventus played the last six minutes with 10 men, after substitute Juan Cuadrado got booked twice inside 18 minutes, before substitute Marco Asensio hit the fourth after Marcelo’s fine pass.

Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane has now won back-to-back Champions League titles since he took charge in January 2016.

In addition to this, the former Real player won the season’s La Liga title.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Juventus, who are the Serie A champions, have now lost five Champions League finals since they last won the competition in 1996.

June 4, 2017
Real Madrid win first La Liga title since 2012

Real Madrid win first La Liga title since 2012

Real Madrid won their first La Liga title since 2012 thanks to a final-day 2-0 victory at Malaga on Sunday and in spite of FC Barcelona’s 4-2 win over Eibar.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored early in the game to settle the nerves, latching onto Isco’s through ball to step around Carlos Kameni and tap into an empty net.

Karim Benzema then added their second goal after the break after Kameni had parried Sergio Ramos’ shot.

Real, who had only needed a draw to win the title, now face Juventus in the Champions League final aiming to complete a double

FC Barcelona, who had won the past two titles, came from 2-0 down to beat Eibar 4-2 at the Nou Camp.

But they had also needed Real to slip up if they were going to retain the trophy.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Real Madrid finished with 93 points, while FC Barcelona ended with 90 points to stay second.

The result means Zinedine Zidane, in his first full season as Real boss, has recorded another first.

He is the first manager to lead Madrid to the Spanish league title since Jose Mourinho did five years ago.

If Real beat Juventus in Cardiff, they will become the first team to successfully defend the Champions League.

Zidane had won the tournament six months into the job last summer.

May 22, 2017
I can’t wait for Champions League final – Ronaldo

Real Madrid’s players head straight back to Madrid on Sunday night to celebrate with their supporters after winning the club’s 33rd La Liga title in Malaga – their first for five years.

‘We deserve it,’ said Cristiano Ronaldo, who scored the first goal in a 2-0 win inside two minutes. ‘This success tastes really good, and even sweeter to do it in the last week of the season.

‘I feel really happy and really fresh at the right time of the season. Now we can enjoy it before we prepare for the Champions League final.

Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after sealing his second La Liga title with Real Madrid on Sunday

Zinedine Zidane was given the bumps by his jubilant players and he saluted his squad when mobbed by reporters on the final whistle.

He said: ‘Ronaldo is always there when you need him. He was at his best at the right time but this is a victory for all the players.

Real Madrid lift head coach Zinedine Zidane after they seal their first La Liga title in five years

Sergio Ramos, celebrating with Marcelo, revealed Real Madrid are heading home tonight

‘After 38 games if you are top you deserve, there can be no questions. It was really important to win the league this season. The credit is for all the players. They never dropped their level from the first game to the last.’

Sergio Ramos also spoke after the victory, which also saw Madrid set a new record for scoring in every game of the season for the first time in their history.

Ramos said: ‘We had a few bad games and suffered at times but we kept our heads in the end. We did enough to win what is, for me, the best league in the world and the hardest to win.

‘Now we can go back to Madrid and celebrate with our fans before the long build-up to the Champions League final.’

Gareth Bale picks up his first La Liga title since moving to Real Madrid in 2013

Real Madrid celebrate as a team as they prepare to receive their La Liga trophy

May 21, 2017