Real Madrid’s three European Cup victories under Zinedine Zidane have largely been credited to the players rather than the manager.
The popular view is that Zidane doesn’t meddle too much, doesn’t pay too much attention to the tactical side of the game and largely trusts his players to win matches through their own ability. There’s often been an element of truth to that suspicion, particularly when Zidane was able to count upon Cristiano Ronaldo and, at times, Gareth Bale.
But things have changed in Madrid. Ronaldo and Bale have departed, and their effective replacement Eden Hazard has barely contributed because of injury.
