Madrid (AFP)

Indisputable Zinedine Zidane: cornered, the French coach of Real Madrid again took up a great challenge by winning the clasico of the 26th day of Liga against FC Barcelona Sunday (2-0), with successful bets.

Toni Kroos, reinstalled as holder by the French technician for the clasico after his absence Wednesday against Manchester City in the Champions League and decisive passer for the goal of Vinicius (71st), in whom "Zizou" has placed his confidence, and Mariano Diaz, scorer a few seconds after entering the game (90th + 2), sealed the victory and, thereby, the first place in the ranking found in the "White House".

He predicted: "Sunday is an opportunity to change things," repeated Zinedine Zidane since Wednesday's setback against Manchester City in the knockout stages of the Champions League at the Santiago Bernabeu (2-1), then at a press conference on Saturday.

An opportunity to get the "White House" out of the bad patch in which it was engaged: in lack of goals and with a worrying defensive fragility, the Madrilenians approached the clasico on a series of three games without a win.

But the prodigal merengue technician, back to the wall after the setback in C1 on Wednesday, has again proven his quality with paying tactical choices.

- Bets signed "ZZ" -

The Brazilian Vinicius (19), appreciated for his speed but strongly criticized for his lack of efficiency in the surface, again entered the zone of truth many times on Sunday, until this bright opening by the German Toni Kroos , preserved Wednesday, which allowed him to open the score (71st) ... and to dare to harangue the public who came to show him his support.

The solid anchor in the midfield, the entry into play of Brahim Diaz, preferred to Luka Jovic and scorer (90th + 2), and the tenure of Isco on the right wing, preferred to Gareth Bale, were also as much master strokes signed "ZZ", since the Spaniard was the main threat to Marc-André ter Stegen, with this superb curling strike well chased by the right hand by the doorman blaugrana (56th), or with this resumption of the head (60th) stopped on the line by Gerard Piqué, in stride.

While the two teams approached this classic return from Liga with defenses surrounded by questions and far from waterproof, Real Madrid found their defensive duo Sergio Ramos-Raphaël Varane, solid Sunday, while the white captain became the player with the most classic contested in history (44, ahead of 43 by Manuel Sanchiz).

- Messi, in the shade -

Barça has also stood its ground against Merengue assaults for a long time. Pique returned to his best after his sprained ankle on Tuesday, but that was not enough.

The Catalans had more difficulty controlling the pace of the game, and had to run behind the ball for much of the match, resisting the white waves.

French world champion Antoine Griezmann, for his second clasico, however had two opportunities to score, but the first (18th) was cleared by Sergio Ramos and Raphaël Varane, and the second went over the frame (21st ).

Above all, it was the absence of Lionel Messi (26 goals in 42 clasicos) that hit the match. Ghostly, the sixfold Ballon d'Or was far from its level Sunday evening, and precipitated the fall of Barça for the first class of Quique Setién on the Catalan bench.

Barça therefore falls behind Real in the standings, and the race for the title is definitely not yet finished between the two giants of Spanish football.

© 2020 AFP