OPINION: The Italian school leaves its mark on Zinedine Zidane’s triumph
The Merengues coach lost two Champions League final with Juventus (1997, 1998) before moving to Real Madrid. When Zizou replaced Benitez last January, the Merengues’ season seemed a lost cause already. However, he managed to keep the race for La Liga open until the final day of the season and he has leaded the club towards their 11th Champions League triumph.
Zidane has joined Giovanni Trapattoni, Miguel Muñoz, Johan Cruyff, Frank Rijkaard, Carlo Ancelotti and Pep Guardiola among those who have won the Champions League as both manager and player. He also became the first French coach to lift the most important European trophy for clubs.
Like Di Matte in 2012 he has won the Champions League as interim manager.
The Italian school has left a mark on Zizou’s triumph who has worked with both Lippi and Ancelotti at Juventus. “I’ve developed in Italy. Italy gave me a lot as a footballer. Will I be back there as a manager? Never say never.”
Zidane, now, is only focused on celebrating his first title as a manager as well as his confirmation on Real Madrid’s bench.
Lorenzo Bettoni @lorebetto, adapted from an original piece by Gianluca Minchiotti
