Football: Zinedine Zidane gets a new reprieve from Real Madrid

Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane on October 27, 2020 in a game against Borussia Mönchengladbach.

AP - Martin Meissner

Text by: Nicolas Bamba Follow

4 min

In turmoil in recent weeks and threatened after Tuesday's defeat in the Champions League in Donetsk, Zinedine Zidane can breathe after Real Madrid's performance this Saturday, December 5.

The Madrilenians won away against Sevilla FC (1-0).

A success which offers a little respite to the coach.

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The story between Real Madrid and Zinedine Zidane continues, at least for a few days, and barring a highly improbable twist.

The Frenchman's future was given uncertain in the Spanish press in recent days.

It was even conditioned, at first, to the result of the Sevilla FC-Real Madrid match played at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan stadium at the end of the afternoon on Saturday.

Unable to win his last three La Liga matches (two defeats and a draw), the Spanish champion also suffered an extremely bad performance in the Champions League on Tuesday, with an away

loss against the Shakhtar Donetsk (2-0)

.

A defeat that puts Real in danger in its goal of winning the round of 16 of the competition.

Failure to do so would be a first in its history.

It was against this heavy backdrop with the threat of eviction hovering over his head that Zinedine Zidane led this crucial match in Andalusia on Saturday, as part of La Liga Matchday 12.

The technician knew it: in the event of defeat, his position would be even more threatened.

The big meeting is set for December 9 against Mönchengladbach

Finally, Zidane is still breathing.

His team, although deprived of its captain Sergio Ramos as well as Eden Hazard (injured), won against Sevilla FC (1-0).

A victory obtained thanks to a goal against his camp by Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, who was unable to capture an off-target attempt by young Vinicius Junior (55th).

🏁 FP: @SevillaFC 0-1 @RealMadrid


⚽ Bono (PP) 55 '# Emirates |

#HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/89XY3yzarz

- Real Madrid CF (@realmadrid) December 5, 2020

In the game, Real have not been sovereign, but they have shown solidarity to lock these three points that are good.

The Spanish press is not mistaken.

Marca

, one of the two main sports dailies in the capital, assures us that “ 

Madrid always responds in extreme situations

”.

In October, Zinedine Zidane had already felt the threat approaching: already unable to overthrow Manchester City in the Champions League in early August (round of 16 second leg of the 2019-2020 edition), his Real had also just lost at home in quick succession against modest Cadiz in La Liga, and against Shakhtar Donetsk (already) in the Champions League.

In this tense moment, the Spanish champion had rebounded by going for a victory in the form of a breath of fresh air just behind on the ground of his rival, FC Barcelona.

This is the second time in a few weeks that coach Zinedine Zidane has found himself under threat and saved his head.

But if it allows him to breathe a little, the reprieve obtained this Saturday is only temporary.

The most important meeting is set for Wednesday 9 December and the last day of the group stage of the Champions League.

Real Madrid are currently 3rd in Group B with 7 points, behind Shakhtar Donetsk (also 7 points, but the Ukrainians have the advantage thanks to their two victories against Real) and the leader, Borussia Mönchengladbach (8 points).

Inter Milan are 4th with 5 points.

In this last day, everyone can still qualify ... or lose everything.

To continue his second term at the helm of Real Madrid, Zidane has one goal: to qualify the club at the Santiago-Bernabeu stadium against 'Gladbach.

It's an important victory vis-à-vis the next match,

 " he said in Sevilla, the spirit already set for Wednesday.

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