Real Madrid's head coach Zinedine Zidane. EPA
Real Madrid's head coach Zinedine Zidane. EPA
Real Madrid's head coach Zinedine Zidane. EPA
Real Madrid's head coach Zinedine Zidane. EPA

Football

Zinedine Zidane: 'I'm not a terrible coach, I'm not the best either'

Real Madrid coach defends himself against accusations he is 'lucky'

Steve Luckings
Steve Luckings
Abu Dhabi

April 18, 2021

  • English
  • Arabic

Zinedine Zidane has hit back at accusations he is a lucky coach while again refusing to be drawn on his future at Real Madrid.

Real's season has been transformed over the past week with victory over fierce rivals Barcelona in La Liga and Liverpool dispatched over two legs to secure a place in the Champions League semi-finals.

Despite sitting a point behind Atletico Madrid, Zidane's team are now favourites to defend the title they claimed last term in the Frenchman's first full season back in charge.

Frenchman Zidane has guided Real to 11 major trophies across his two stints, including a hat-trick of Champions League titles and two La Ligas.

Asked if it annoys him when he is called lucky, Zidane said: "I am lucky, it's true, lucky to be here and to coach this great club. Am I a terrible coach? I don't think I am terrible, I don't believe that.

"I'm not the best either, sure, but I enjoy what I'm doing."

LIVERPOOL PLAYER RATINGS: Alisson Becker - 6. The Brazilian did not see much action against a cautious Real but he was alert when needed. The best moment was a superb stop when Vinicius ran free on goal in the second half. PA
LIVERPOOL PLAYER RATINGS: Alisson Becker - 6. The Brazilian did not see much action against a cautious Real but he was alert when needed. The best moment was a superb stop when Vinicius ran free on goal in the second half. PA
Trent Alexander-Arnold - 7. The 22-year-old was impressive at both ends of the pitch. He did not allow Vinicius the same freedom as in the first leg. The team rely too much on the full-back's crossing but his delivery was very good. PA
Trent Alexander-Arnold - 7. The 22-year-old was impressive at both ends of the pitch. He did not allow Vinicius the same freedom as in the first leg. The team rely too much on the full-back's crossing but his delivery was very good. PA
Nathaniel Phillips - 6. The centre back was lucky to get away with a mistake when he was robbed by Benzema but he stood strong overall. He made a couple of cynical challenges when caught out. Getty Images
Nathaniel Phillips - 6. The centre back was lucky to get away with a mistake when he was robbed by Benzema but he stood strong overall. He made a couple of cynical challenges when caught out. Getty Images
Ozan Kabak - 6. The Turk gave the ball away too often but was not put under severe pressure by Real. He was quick to stop counter-attacks. Substituted for Jota with 30 minutes left. AFP
Ozan Kabak - 6. The Turk gave the ball away too often but was not put under severe pressure by Real. He was quick to stop counter-attacks. Substituted for Jota with 30 minutes left. AFP
Andrew Robertson - 6. The Scot worked relentlessly up and down the wing and provided an outlet when the central players needed help. He always looked for the crossfield pass to release teammates into space. Reuters
Andrew Robertson - 6. The Scot worked relentlessly up and down the wing and provided an outlet when the central players needed help. He always looked for the crossfield pass to release teammates into space. Reuters
James Milner - 7. The 35-year-old went close with a shot from distance and put himself about. He made a crucial interception in his own area before being replaced by Thiago on the hour. Getty Images
James Milner - 7. The 35-year-old went close with a shot from distance and put himself about. He made a crucial interception in his own area before being replaced by Thiago on the hour. Getty Images
Fabinho - 7. The Brazilian was much better than in the first leg. He ensured his side had the advantage in midfield and protected the defence. AP
Fabinho - 7. The Brazilian was much better than in the first leg. He ensured his side had the advantage in midfield and protected the defence. AP
Georginio Wijnaldum - 6. The Dutchman was keen to get forward and executed a couple of splendid turns in midfield to get attacks started. He had one great chance but skied the ball over the bar just before half time. EPA
Georginio Wijnaldum - 6. The Dutchman was keen to get forward and executed a couple of splendid turns in midfield to get attacks started. He had one great chance but skied the ball over the bar just before half time. EPA
Mohamed Salah - 6. The Egyptian wasted a wonderful chance to bring his team back into the tie early in the first half. He kept the defence unnerved but was unable to make his menace pay off. Getty Images
Mohamed Salah - 6. The Egyptian wasted a wonderful chance to bring his team back into the tie early in the first half. He kept the defence unnerved but was unable to make his menace pay off. Getty Images
Roberto Firmino - 6. The Brazilian failed to pick out Alexander-Arnold when in a dangerous position before the break. He had a number of half chances in the second period, the best of which was blocked by Militao. He made way for Oxlade-Chamberlain with eight minutes left. Getty Images
Roberto Firmino - 6. The Brazilian failed to pick out Alexander-Arnold when in a dangerous position before the break. He had a number of half chances in the second period, the best of which was blocked by Militao. He made way for Oxlade-Chamberlain with eight minutes left. Getty Images
Sadio Mane - 6. The Senegalese started brightly and made life difficult for Valverde. He never carried through with the threat and faded before being replaced by Shaqiri in the 82nd minute. Getty Images
Sadio Mane - 6. The Senegalese started brightly and made life difficult for Valverde. He never carried through with the threat and faded before being replaced by Shaqiri in the 82nd minute. Getty Images
SUBS: Thiago Alcantara - 5. The 30-year-old came on for Milner with half an hour left but could not change the game. By then Real were sitting deep and the passing lanes were closed down. Reuters
SUBS: Thiago Alcantara - 5. The 30-year-old came on for Milner with half an hour left but could not change the game. By then Real were sitting deep and the passing lanes were closed down. Reuters
Diogo Jota - 6. The Portuguese replaced Kabak in the 60th minute but found himself aiming for goal from narrow angles. He shot into the side-netting but never worried Courtois. Reuters
Diogo Jota - 6. The Portuguese replaced Kabak in the 60th minute but found himself aiming for goal from narrow angles. He shot into the side-netting but never worried Courtois. Reuters
Xherdan Shaqiri - 6. The Swiss had lots of touches in the eight minutes remaining after he replaced Mane but the defence kept him at arm’s length. He tried hard to no avail. Getty Images
Xherdan Shaqiri - 6. The Swiss had lots of touches in the eight minutes remaining after he replaced Mane but the defence kept him at arm’s length. He tried hard to no avail. Getty Images
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain - 5. The Englishman joined the game after Firmino’s substitution with eight minutes left. He had one good run in stoppage time but it finished with an aimless cross. PA
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain - 5. The Englishman joined the game after Firmino’s substitution with eight minutes left. He had one good run in stoppage time but it finished with an aimless cross. PA
REAL MADRID PLAYER RATINGS: Thibaut Courtois - 8. The Belgian made two vital saves from Salah at the beginning and end of the game, the first setting the tone for the match. In between he was excellent, making a spectacular full-stretch stop from Milner. EPA
REAL MADRID PLAYER RATINGS: Thibaut Courtois - 8. The Belgian made two vital saves from Salah at the beginning and end of the game, the first setting the tone for the match. In between he was excellent, making a spectacular full-stretch stop from Milner. EPA
Federico Valverde - 7. The midfielder was deployed at right back. He struggled with Mane early on but grew into the game and produced a fine pass to create a chance for Vinicius. PA
Federico Valverde - 7. The midfielder was deployed at right back. He struggled with Mane early on but grew into the game and produced a fine pass to create a chance for Vinicius. PA
Eder Militao - 7. The Brazilian made a fantastic block from Firmino in the second half and looked composed throughout. He was good in the air against the barrage of crosses. Reuters
Eder Militao - 7. The Brazilian made a fantastic block from Firmino in the second half and looked composed throughout. He was good in the air against the barrage of crosses. Reuters
Nacho - 8. The 31-year-old fourth-choice centre back ensured any danger was dealt with quickly. He made a number of important clearances and used his experience to lead the defence. Reuters
Nacho - 8. The 31-year-old fourth-choice centre back ensured any danger was dealt with quickly. He made a number of important clearances and used his experience to lead the defence. Reuters
Ferland Mendy - 6. The Frenchman got into some awkward situations but used his pace to bail himself out. Made a poor clearance late on. PA
Ferland Mendy - 6. The Frenchman got into some awkward situations but used his pace to bail himself out. Made a poor clearance late on. PA
Luka Modric - 6. The Croat was given too much freedom to pick his passes but was not his usual precise self. He was aware that Real did not need to be gung-ho and played conservatively. Reuters
Luka Modric - 6. The Croat was given too much freedom to pick his passes but was not his usual precise self. He was aware that Real did not need to be gung-ho and played conservatively. Reuters
Casemiro - 8. The Brazilian was up for a battle and got it. He scythed through Milner and broke up attacks repeatedly. The 29-year-old was not backing down and led by example. PA
Casemiro - 8. The Brazilian was up for a battle and got it. He scythed through Milner and broke up attacks repeatedly. The 29-year-old was not backing down and led by example. PA
Toni Kroos - 5. The German was nowhere near as influential as in the first leg in Madrid. He was not given time to pick out long passes and took a cautious approach. Replaced by Odriozola with 18 minutes left. Getty Images
Toni Kroos - 5. The German was nowhere near as influential as in the first leg in Madrid. He was not given time to pick out long passes and took a cautious approach. Replaced by Odriozola with 18 minutes left. Getty Images
Marco Asensio - 5. A quiet night for the 25-year-old. Real’s emphasis was on stopping Liverpool getting back into the tie and he saw too little of the ball. AP
Marco Asensio - 5. A quiet night for the 25-year-old. Real’s emphasis was on stopping Liverpool getting back into the tie and he saw too little of the ball. AP
Karim Benzema - 6. The Frenchman had a deflected pass hit the post after dispossessing Phillips. He missed a free header in the second half that would have killed the tie. On the plus side, he led the line well and held the ball up. Getty Images
Karim Benzema - 6. The Frenchman had a deflected pass hit the post after dispossessing Phillips. He missed a free header in the second half that would have killed the tie. On the plus side, he led the line well and held the ball up. Getty Images
Vinicius Junior - 5. The Brazilian was kept quiet by the defence and on the one occasion he showed his pace, the winger was foiled by Alisson. Taken off for Rodrygo with 18 minutes to go. Getty Images
Vinicius Junior - 5. The Brazilian was kept quiet by the defence and on the one occasion he showed his pace, the winger was foiled by Alisson. Taken off for Rodrygo with 18 minutes to go. Getty Images
SUBS: Alvaro Odriozola - 6. The defender was brought on for Kroos to shore up the back line with 18 minutes left. He did his job well with rigorous blocks and tackles. PA
SUBS: Alvaro Odriozola - 6. The defender was brought on for Kroos to shore up the back line with 18 minutes left. He did his job well with rigorous blocks and tackles. PA
Rodrygo - 5. Replaced Vinicius after 72 minutes but made little impact. He joined the game at the point Real sat deeper and deeper. AFP
Rodrygo - 5. Replaced Vinicius after 72 minutes but made little impact. He joined the game at the point Real sat deeper and deeper. AFP
Isco - 6. Sent on for Asensio with eight minutes left. He reinforced the defence and helped see out the closing minutes. Getty Images
Isco - 6. Sent on for Asensio with eight minutes left. He reinforced the defence and helped see out the closing minutes. Getty Images

Zidane's contract at the Spanish champions runs until the summer of 2022 but doubts remain about whether he will continue beyond the current season.

He resigned unexpectedly in 2018 after winning the Champions League for a third successive season and has been linked with taking charge of the French national team and Juventus, where he spent five years as a player.

"I don't think about the future," said Zidane. "I don't know what will happen, you can have a five-year contract and leave tomorrow or the opposite. I'm happy and thinking about tomorrow's game."

Real Madrid play away at struggling Getafe on Sunday and Zidane has been able to name only 13 outfield players in the squad for the match.

Madrid announced on Saturday that Ferland Mendy has a calf problem while neither Eden Hazard nor Dani Carvajal were deemed ready after recently recovering from injury.

Zidane has only four fit defenders, with Sergio Ramos out injured, Raphael Varane unavailable after testing positive for Covid-19 and Nacho Fernandez suspended. Casemiro is also banned after being sent off against Barcelona.

Real Madrid's Karim Benzema celebrates scoring their first goal in the 2-1 Clasico win against Barcelona at the Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium in Madrid on April 11. Reuters
Real Madrid's Karim Benzema celebrates scoring their first goal in the 2-1 Clasico win against Barcelona at the Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium in Madrid on April 11. Reuters
Real Madrid's Karim Benzema in action with Barcelona's Frenkie de Jong. Reuters
Real Madrid's Karim Benzema in action with Barcelona's Frenkie de Jong. Reuters
Barcelona's Lionel Messi in action with Real Madrid's Eder Militao. Reuters
Barcelona's Lionel Messi in action with Real Madrid's Eder Militao. Reuters
Real Madrid's Karim Benzema in action with Barcelona's Ronald Araujo. Reuters
Real Madrid's Karim Benzema in action with Barcelona's Ronald Araujo. Reuters
Barcelona's Lionel Messi. AFP
Barcelona's Lionel Messi. AFP
Real Madrid's Toni Kroos celebrates scoring their second goal. Reuters
Real Madrid's Toni Kroos celebrates scoring their second goal. Reuters
Heavy rain during the Clasico in Madrid. EPA
Heavy rain during the Clasico in Madrid. EPA
Real Madrid' midfielder Toni Kroos dives for the ball. AFP
Real Madrid' midfielder Toni Kroos dives for the ball. AFP
Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen makes a save. AFP
Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen makes a save. AFP
Barcelona's Dutch coach Ronald Koeman. AFP
Barcelona's Dutch coach Ronald Koeman. AFP
Players scuffle during the Clasico. EPA
Players scuffle during the Clasico. EPA
Real Madrid's Karim Benzema celebrates scoring their first goal . Reuters
Real Madrid's Karim Benzema celebrates scoring their first goal . Reuters
Barcelona's Lionel Messi (not pictured) shoots at goal from a corner kick. Reuters
Barcelona's Lionel Messi (not pictured) shoots at goal from a corner kick. Reuters
Barcelona's Lionel Messi in action. AFP
Barcelona's Lionel Messi in action. AFP
Spanish referee Jesus Gil Manzano shows the second yellow card to Real Madrid's Casemiro. EPA
Spanish referee Jesus Gil Manzano shows the second yellow card to Real Madrid's Casemiro. EPA
Real Madrid's Brazilian midfielder Casemiro reacts after receiving a red card. AFP
Real Madrid's Brazilian midfielder Casemiro reacts after receiving a red card. AFP
Real Madrid's Marcelo takes on the captain armband from teammate Karim Benzema as he leaves the pitch. EPA
Real Madrid's Marcelo takes on the captain armband from teammate Karim Benzema as he leaves the pitch. EPA
Barcelona's Dutch coach Ronald Koeman comforts Lionel Messi at the final whistle. AFP
Barcelona's Dutch coach Ronald Koeman comforts Lionel Messi at the final whistle. AFP
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