Zidane-Ronaldo

Zidane coaching was spot on again

Zidane may also see the defensive weaknesses they have and may make some adjustments to his team for the return game. When his team is not playing well, Zidane does know how to make adjustments to change the game for Real.

He did so against PSG when he introduced Asensio and Vazquez who changed the tie in Paris and Real scored two goals in the last ten minutes. He did so again in the game in Turin against Juventus and they scored 3 goals there. They were leading 1-0 when he introduced Vazquez on 59 minutes who immediately changed the game and Ronaldo scored his second goal on 64 minutes.

Seeing how is side were dominated in the first half against Bayern – though Marcelo scored the goal against the run of play on 44 minutes – he immediately replaced Isco at half-time for Asensio and the change proved vital for Los Blancos. Asensio scored the winner after great link-up play with Vazquez. His introduction of Benzema for Carvajal also helped to keep the pressure on Bayern towards the end of the game.

Zidane has been amazing since he joined Los Balncos and he won them 5 trophies last season, winning the Champions League twice in a row for the club. His tactics have beeen very good in the Champions League this season again but the style is not as good as it was over the last two season’s and he has been able to make the adjustments during the past three games that have changed his side’s fortunes.

Zidane vs Valverde

In contrast to Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde, who showed clear lack of jugdement – or lack of Champions League experience – not to make changes to his team when they when on the verge of being eliminated by Roma when the score was 2-0 after 60 minutes. Here Zidane would have made changes even at half-time but certainly after they had conceded the second. Valverde did not react and that is the key differnce.

However it’s hard to compare the two as Valverde has been able to go 40 games uneaten with Barça and has won the Copa del Rey and is about to add the League title as well. Not son bad for his first season at Barça. However Zidane has shown that he has the Champions League experience and can make the necessary changes when required.