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S.Battered, Zinedine Zidane dragged herself in front of the cameras for one of her perhaps last slogans of perseverance. “I will not resign at all”, the Real Madrid manager muttered into the microphone, “we have to overcome this situation.” With or without Zidane, after the next awkwardness in premier class, he seems more open than ever.
Because the record winner threatens knockout in the Champions League group stage for the first time in club history – after 0-2 (0-0) at Shakhtar Donetsk, Royal are looking into the abyss. The team around national player Toni Kroos must under no circumstances lose to Borussia Mönchengladbach on Wednesday (21:00 in the FAZ live ticker for the Champions League and on Sky). It will be a “trial by fire” (Marca) for Real, even the draw could mean the end – also for Zidane.
He initially ruled out a retirement, but the club could make the decision for him. The successful manager, who turned Madrid into the best club team in the world in his first term, is not giving up (yet). There have always been “hard times” in this club. “When there is a bad phase, there is no choice but to help each other,” said the 1998 world champion. Now, in these “difficult times”, it is about showing “character and pride”.
In the Spanish media, however, it is already speculated that Zidane himself may not be enough. Because even in the championship, the champion, without a win for over a month, disappoints. And after the match against Gladbach, the next match of fate awaits with the Madrid Derby against Atletico. These were “the worst moments” for Zidane in Madrid, writes the Spanish sports newspaper AS.
The 48-year-old, who always appeared with charm and temperament, lost his smile. The ease with which he won three Champions League titles as a real manager? Far away. Despite the preseason championship, Zidane is not the savior that the club executives expected upon their return in 2019. The analysis also focuses on the club’s staff planning: Real have not yet managed to compensate for the loss of superstar Cristiano Ronaldo.
Yet: according to Marca, parts of the team have now lost faith in the coach. At Schachtjor, Zidane surprisingly did without the clearer Casemiro – and after the shots from Dentinho (57th) and Manor Solomon (83rd) he had to give the Ukrainians a direct confrontation. Real had already lost 2: 3 in the first leg.
In Spain, potential successors are already being exchanged. According to Marca, the favorite is former Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino. The true legend Raul should also be among the candidates. But Zidane still doesn’t want to think about these things: “I have the strength and, as always, I’ll do my best.” It is questionable whether it will be enough.
After Liverpool FC’s victory over Ajax Amsterdam and qualifying for the round of 16 as Champions League group winners, Jürgen Klopp was particularly happy and proud of his team. “I am really excited about our attitude and character that we have shown tonight,” said Klopp, according to the club’s homepage, following the 1-0 win on Tuesday night.
“I am very, very, very satisfied with the result and the performance given the circumstances. Fantastic. Liverpool had to do without goalkeeper Alisson Becker against Ajax, who, according to Klopp, will be sidelined for up to two weeks with a rear thigh muscle injury.
Klopp chose Caoimhin Kelleher, who is only 22, over Adrian, who is eleven years older and much more experienced, as a substitute among the posts. “It was an easy decision because he deserved it, but it was also difficult against Adrian because he was already so good with us,” Klopp said. Before the final matchday of the group stage, Liverpool now have twelve points. Atalanta Bergamo have eight points after a 1-1 draw against FC Midtjylland and are second ahead of Amsterdam with seven points.
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