Zinédine Zidane has announced that he is stepping aside as coach of Real Madrid a matter of days after steering the club to an unprecedented third successive UEFA Champions League triumph."I think it's the moment, both for me, the team and the club [to stand down]," the 45-year-old told an impromptu press conference at Madrid's training ground. "It's a strange moment to do so, I know, but an important one too. I had to do this for everyone." Zidane's place among the greatsHired in January 2016 after a spell in charge of the Real Madrid B team, Zidane became the
Football Update
Who’s on for a Champions League-World Cup double?
European Cup-World Cup double winners1974: Sepp Maier, Paul Breitner, Hans-Georg Schwarzenbeck, Franz Beckenbauer, Gerd Müller, Uli Hoeness (Bayern & West Germany)1998: Christian Karembeu (Real Madrid & France)2002: Roberto Carlos (Real Madrid & Brazil) To qualify, players must have featured in both winning finals. It's an elite club which Sami Khedira so nearly joined four years ago, an injury in the warm-up preventing him from turning out for Germany in their FIFA World Cup final win against Argentina. ... UEFA.com - News
UEFA Europa League launches edgier brand identity
In anticipation of the new season, the UEFA Europa League will feature a refreshed brand identity. The branding continues to be inspired by the strong bond between players and fans but now has more emphasis on the scale and dynamic nature of the competition. The refined energy wave takes key elements from the UEFA Europa League trophy©UEFA.comWhile key elements such as the... UEFA.com - News
Bale, Larsson, Kluivert: the Champions League final super subs
2018 Gareth Bale (Real Madrid v Liverpool)Reports before the Kyiv final were that Bale, who had only started three UEFA Champions League games all season, would get the nod alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema in the Madrid attack. Instead Zinédine Zidane went with the same XI that had started the 2017 final, leaving the Wales forward once again on the bench.However, with the score at 1-1 just past the hour, Zidane gave Bale a go. Just 122 seconds later Bale was in the air scoring with an incredible overhead volley that many think eclipsed even the 2002 Madrid final winner claimed by his now-coach.
UEFA Champions League Squad of the Season
Goalkeepers Keylor Navas (Real Madrid)Technical Observers say: Steady campaign and made saves when required to.Alisson Becker (Roma)Technical Observers say: Some excellent performances en route to the semi-finals. Numerous saves away to Shakhtar kept his team in the tie.DefendersJoshua Kimmich (Bayern München)Technical Observers say: Energe... UEFA.com - News
Why Madrid are the ultimate winning machine
Another year, another UEFA Champions League title for Real Madrid. Winning is not so much a habit, rather it is in their DNA. This Madrid side are the ultimate winning machine on a relentless quest for glory."El Madrid es el Madrid," they say in Spain – they get things done, they find a way, by hook or by crook, and they are addicted to success. They exist for nights like Saturday in Kyiv. They were the better side against Liverpool, nullifying the Reds' swashbuckling front three and controlling midfield. All their experience and nous came to the fore and, ultimately,
Madrid or Liverpool? The experts have their say
With the countdown to tonight's UEFA Champions League final well and truly hotting up, some of the biggest names in football have delivered their predictions. Find out who is backing holders Real Madrid, who has plumped for Liverpool, and where the experts think the game could be won. Steven Gerrard, 2005 UEFA Champions League-winning captain with Liverpool: "I think we've got a really good chance. I wouldn't say on current form we're going into the game as underdogs. But, I suppose, they will want to go in as underdogs because it takes a little bit of pressure off."