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Zinedine Zidane has won his 11th title as coach of Real Madrid and he was oozing happiness as he addressed the press after the 2-1 win over Villarreal.
He started the press conference by saying the following: “It’s very difficult to win LaLiga. It’s the most difficult league to win. It’s a league of 38 rounds, so I’m very grateful to the players because they’re the ones who fight every week. It’s a team effort and a great thing we’ve achieved. I’m very emotional. Now I can show off my nice smile because we’ve done it.”
With such a long season, there are always going to be ups and downs and Zidane was asked what the lowest moment was. He replied: “The most difficult match was the one we lost away at Real Betis. After having won against Barcelona, it was a tough blow. Then we were at home for two months, but then we returned with a different kind of energy. We wanted to do things well again. We prepared well and trained well and achieved 10 wins in a row. So, now I’m calmer! Now I don’t think about that Real Betis game!”
Sergio Ramos has been key during the entire season and especially since the restart. Zidane was asked about the captain. He said: “He is out leader. He is the motor of this team. We know that every player brings something, but he is our leader. We have four captains, but it’s clear that he is out reference point. Not just for the players, but for me too. Every Madrdista feels represented by Sergio Ramos in every sense.”
Zidane was asked about the fans too and about what a shame it was that they couldn’t be there for Real Madrid’s first league title sealed at home since 2007. He said: “I know that the fans are there, even in the difficult moments. They couldn’t be here in the stadium for obvious reasons, but they were there. It was a joint effort, also from all the other staff here at the club. The families too, but that’s a more personal thing.”
Finally, the coach was asked if he feels he has been better as a coach than he was as a player, but he dismissed that notion. “I just need to try to do my job,” he added. “I’m lucky to be here in this great club with these great players.”