Manager microscope - Zidane v Simeone

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  • Cristiano Ronaldo proved Atletico Madrid’s Champions League dream destroyer once more with a hat-trick as Real Madrid took a commanding 3-0 semi-final, first leg lead.

    Ronaldo extended his lead as the all-time top scorer in Madrid derby matches by taking his tally to 21 and put Real firmly on course to defend their title in the final in Cardiff on June 3.

    But while Ronaldo will no doubt dominate the column inches, we take a look at how Zinedine Zidane and Diego Simeone’s night fared.

    Basic Stats

    Real Madrid

    Shots – 17

    Shots on target –  7

    Pass success – 89%

    Aerial duel Success – 70%

    Dribbles won – 16

    Tackles – 19

    Possession – 62%

    Atletico Madrid

    Shots – 4

    Shots on target – 1

    Pass success – 82%

    Aerial Duel Success – 30%

    Dribbles won – 5

    Tackles – 28

    Possession – 38%

    Tactics

    Zidane

    Isco was handed a recall and Zidane cleverly gave him a free role – a far cry from Gareth Bale’s rigidity on the left.

    The Spaniard was floating in between the lines, picking up excellent positions and perpetually looked for the killer ball in behind. Oh, and he literally didn’t misplace one pass in the first-half.

    Another tactical masterstroke from the Real boss came when he actually took Isco off and introduced Marco Asensio. His pace and direct running on the left really stretched Atletico, a perfect example of that being in his role for Ronaldo’s second goal.

    Simeone

    A defensive disaster for Simeone. First, Lucas Hernandez at right-back was a calamitous decision.

    Injuries have left Atletico short of options but moving a natural centre-back, who is also primarily left-footed, to right-back was unwise at best.

    Marcelo and Ronaldo absolutely terrorised Hernandez and in the first-half alone he missed three tackles and committed three fouls.

    The right-footed Stefan Savic should have been the man to move right but it doesn’t end there for Simeone.

    His substitutions were poor, not necessarily in terms of personnel but the timing. Simeone had played his hand before the 70th minute with a double substitution coming on the hour and it killed their intensity and left him short of options late on.

    Touchline presence

    Zidane

    The Frenchman probably doesn’t get the respect he deserves because he remains as cool as ice throughout. Typically, there was no wild gesticulations and he was the touchline image of his side – cold blooded.

    Simeone

    Simeone cut an incredibly irate figure but it wasn’t enough to stir his men into life. A limp performance from Atletico will have him feeling disappointed rather than angry.

    Our verdict

    Zidane

    Isco in the diamond proved to be a genius move. His substitutions were perfect and the night could not have gone any better for the Real boss.

    9/10

    Simeone

    Atletico looked satisfied to be one down and they didn’t test the hosts whatsoever. They lost confidence when Real scored again and Simeone isn’t one known for his ability to chase down games.

    4/10

    Your verdict

    Zidane

    Simeone

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