Chelsea and Liverpool had just met in the semifinal of the Champions League, with Mourinho and Benitez in the respective dugouts. All those years playing soccer in the streets growing up and the countless number of games he played. Both he and Fede Valverde, whose running power is similar, have been labelled as box-to-box types by the first team coaching staff. What’s unique about Zidane is he goes about the game in a pretty quiet and unassuming manner. Zinedine Zidane. Zidane first off has perfect control, touch, and balance. Zidane didn’t get airdropped into the Real Madrid hot seat. Nacho Fernandez was the unlikely match-winner in Sunday's 1-0 victory over Real Valladolid as Madrid won a third La Liga game in a row to open a three-point lead over Barcelona at the summit. Yet he made another, more pertinent point later in the article, albeit with less potent imagery. The two Brazilians arrived at Real Madrid as outstanding dribblers, but now they have the bodies to be real forces down each wing. Martin Odegaard is a prime example, impressing as much for his stamina and strength as his ability on the ball. It teaches you not just about football but also life. He will pull out a step over or a spin turn from time to time, but he keeps the game pretty simple for the most part with quick one and two touch passes. In reality, Zidane was great for both his club and country but he became a deity when he played for France. Unlike other great legends such as Lionel Messi, Diego Maradona, Pele, or Cristiano Ronaldo, Zidane wasn’t a young prodigy. The France legend had the choice to leave this sport as one of the three best players in football history and simply decided he didn’t want that attention. Toni Kroos and Luka Modric have marshalled the midfield for several years, bringing their technical qualities to Los Blancos' style of play. Perhaps, for Zidane, Valdano's theory holds some weight. Advertisement. ", "We must accept that Madrid have won 13 Champions Leagues and we want to change our history in the Copa del Rey. ‘Zizou’ truly had it all when he was in his prime but he was actually a late bloomer, he didn’t really begin making the headlines until he was well past his 25 years. Los Blancos have won the competition on just two occasions since 1993 and Zidane is desperate to improve on that underwhelming return. Some times we are asked: what was the secret of Zidane’s vision when he was playing football (soccer)? We will see this week how he is managing his recovery. The French football player Zinedine Zidane played as a playmaker or attacking midfield position for much of his career. ", "When fans see the team sweat for the shirt, that's the most important thing in the end because you can't always win. Neither Benitez nor Mourinho had been successful footballers. But I like how you are striving to imitate one of the greatest soccer players of all time. Henriksen, "I have a list of players and later you will see. The man won back-to-back championships in 1998 and 2000, he led Les Bleus to those titles with his elegant style of play and then moved on to drop his best years as a player … Valdano teased out a psychological context to the broadly similar approaches of the two managers. This Gourcuff not only plays in the same position as Zidane, but his duty is almost exactly the same: a playmaker that is more attacking than usual, lays passes to team mates in front of him whilst crafting out chances for himself, and has a bag of tricks … Arsene Wenger had an unremarkable playing career yet has gone on to coach technical, aesthetic teams. Zidane would have fancied that. Zidane never looked flustered or rushed when he was playing for France, Juventus or Real Madrid. But not to the extent that it would stifle expression. Real Madrid 1-1 Atletico Madrid, Champions League Final: It had to be written in the stars. Chelsea’s Cesc Fabregas Assist Versus Burnley, Three Japanese Soccer Stars Versus 100 Children, Soccer Camps Directory – Learn from the Soccer Experts, Manchester City’s Eric Garcia Wearing Headgear. Zidane plays like he is the best player on the pitch. Experience Soccer Travel to the Best Youth Soccer Camps in Europe, Register Online Now! Madrid are unbeaten in 19 matches in all competitions and travel to Real Zaragoza in the last 16 of the Copa del Rey on Wednesday. Zinedine Zidane remains as one of the professional footballers with the most incredible careers in history, he played his last match exactly 13 years ago. ", "I always say the same - I will not change. How did he do this? Todos los derechos reservados. "I don't think it's a lack of motivation," he said. It’s as if it wasn’t enough to beat a player or make that killer pass, Zidane did in the smoothest of ways. Zidane plays like he is the best player on the pitch. Well, you’ve got a difficult task ahead of yourself if you want to learn how to play like Zidane. It's not. Coerver Coaching's ULTIMATE Bundle - Get Every DVD & Online Version - Instant Access! Zinedine Zidane has defended Real Madrid's style of play and insisted he will not change his coaching methods amid recent criticism. Sergio Ramos García (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈseɾxjo ˈramoz ɣaɾˈθi.a]; born 30 March 1986) is a Spanish professional footballer who plays for and captains both Real Madrid and the Spanish national team as a centre back.He has also played as a right back earlier in his career. There was a time between 2001 and 2006 when people paid their ticket just to watch Zidane, the fans loved other players like Ronaldo or Raul but Zidane was the one who truly made them gasp. Sólo en Francia. A faith in talent would be sacrosanct.