It works or it breaks for Zinédine Zidane: Real Madrid, who crossed the group stage of the Champions League uninterruptedly since 1997, receives Wednesday (9:00 p.m.) the first of group B, Borussia Mönchengladbach, to try to snatch his ticket.
Never better than when he is with his back to the wall, Zidane, in the hot seat after Madrid's defeat in Kiev against Shakhtar Donetsk (2-0) last week, offered himself a breath after his family's victory in Seville (1 -0) Saturday ... but the French must imperatively qualify Real if he wants to keep his place on the Merengue bench.
To get this ticket for the 8th, Real will have to win at home against the surprise team of the group.
A draw could be enough for him if Shakhtar were to lose at San Siro against Inter Milan at the same time.
And in the event of a setback, elimination is assured.
In the latter case, Zidane could see his second term in Madrid cut short by the C1, the competition that made him king during his first stint on the bench (three trophies from 2016 to 2018).
“I never thought I was untouchable.
Never.
Neither as a player, nor as a coach, nor as a person ”, played down the former number 10 on Friday at a press conference.
“I did several seasons here, it has always been difficult.
Today, because it is the present, we want to say that it is the most difficult moment, it is like that.
I feel strong in finding solutions with my players, ”said the technician born in Marseille.
“I never thought I was untouchable. Never. Neither as a player, nor as a coach, nor as a person ”
Zinedine Zidane
He still has in mind the breathtaking scenario of the first leg in Germany.
While the illustrious Real Madrid was led 2-0 until the 87th by Gladbach on a double from the young French international Marcus Thuram (33rd, 58th), Karim Benzema (87th) then Casemiro (90th + 3), had brought back the White House up to an unexpected draw.
"Yes, in view of the next match, it was important for us to score points (Saturday against Sevilla), to finally have a good match again ... It's been a bit complicated lately, so we have to take advantage of it, be satisfied, and continue, ”said the former star of the Blues.
Keen on these high-stakes matches, Zidane had already managed to raise the bar in extremis last season: on November 6, 2019, when he was already close to being ousted according to the Spanish press and he absolutely had to do it. 'win against Galatasaray in the Champions League to save his place ... his men had unfolded 6-0, then had chained 21 matches without defeat in all competitions.
Sergio Ramos back
The narrow success on the Sevilla field on Saturday brought balm to the heart of "ZZ", who will perhaps have to compose without Dani Carvajal, undoubtedly without Fede Valverde, and especially without his star striker Eden Hazard, still injured, to the right thigh this time.
But for this chopping match, Zidane will be able to count on his captain and real spokesperson on the pitch, Sergio Ramos.
Hit in a thigh during the memorable Spain-Germany (6-0) on November 19, Ramos took two and a half weeks to return, but will finally be on his feet to lead his team.
“He's coming back for the final,” headline Monday in Une Marca, Spain's best-selling newspaper, with a photo of Ramos in training.
While supporters are still waiting for the extension of his contract ending in 2021 to be formalized, Ramos, despite his injury, has been present for the past three weeks with his sick group, and his coach in danger.
“The players, what they want is to play.
They have always shown me their support.
It is sometimes forgotten, but they are the first to be unhappy.
We will stick together and get out of this bad patch, ”Zidane promised Friday.
A 24th consecutive qualification in the European top 16 will undoubtedly depend on the future on the Merengue bench of a "Zizou" sublimated by the stake.
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