Chapter 271
Zidane's arrival has made the Real Madrid locker room lively. On the training ground, everyone can see the active figure of the French coach, as if he was here to play football.
Whether the Frenchman is here to provide a temporary relief or as a long-term consideration is not something these players are considering.
When Cristiano habitually came to him to practice with the ball, to be honest, Zidane was a little surprised.
Real Madrid's locker room is full of superstars. Even a famous coach like Ancenotti with a brilliant resume may not be able to completely intimidate these big names in the locker room. What's more, Cristiano is a big name among big names. His wanton goal-scoring performance on the court makes him look more like a thorn in the locker room.
Zidane even consulted his good friends in advance about how to get along harmoniously with the shining star of their national team.
He likes Cristiano very much and he doesn't want their relationship to become stiff and bad because of some friction and conflicts.
After Figo received Zidane's consultation, he generously shared the strawberry cultivation manual.
Zidane spent nearly half an hour listening to how Figo described their captain as a lovely, humble, hardworking and talented boy, and how good his temper was. He even told him firmly that he didn't need to worry about the problems in the locker room at all, as Cristiano would be the best reconciler.
The French are about to roll their eyes to the sky, how much is Cristiano Ronaldo? Louis' filter for his little guy is eight hundred meters thick. He had seen that guy on the court make the opposing player so angry that he wanted to beat him up with just one sentence. Cute? Good temper?
"Thanks, Luis, you didn't give me any useful information," Zidane said with a smirk.
Figo choked, then cleared his throat. "I admit, I may have strayed from the topic a little. OK, so you want some practical advice? If I were to ask you, it would be to treat him sincerely, Zizou, that's it, there is no other technique, you just need to discuss football, give respect, take it seriously."
"You are just playing for a club together, don't make it as complicated as if you were in a relationship," Figo said jokingly. "Cristiano may still have some childish problems, but you will like him."
Zidane shrugged his shoulders. He still felt that his friend had not given much substantive advice, but he ended the topic. He thought he had to figure it out on his own.
But later, he realized that Luis did give the most crucial advice. Dealing with Cristiano did not require any technical skills, but only seriousness and respect, which are the cornerstones of everything.
Also, Cristiano was surprisingly good-tempered, but also surprisingly childish. He did not ignore the fact that the boy touched his head several times while celebrating.
Sometimes, the boy looked at his bald head with such eagerness that it made him feel a little uneasy.
But these are all stories for the future. Right now, they are at the Valdebebas training base, and their story has just begun.
Cristiano trotted to Zidane with the ball in his arms and said, "Would you like to practice with me for a while?"
Zidane: “…Of course.”
This was something Zidane had not expected. Cristiano seemed to be very familiar with him, as if he had worked with him for several seasons, and did not seem like a stranger who had only met a few times.
It’s more like a demonstration than a sparring session.
Kaka also joined their training. His control, stopping and touching of the ball as the attacking midfielder were as smooth as a butcher cutting up an ox, and he still looked like a veteran.
The former top midfield master sat in the training ground of Real Madrid, with Kroos and Modric circling around him.
In just a few training days, Zidane has won the hearts of these players.
Cristiano stopped the ball lightly with his ankle and went to replenish some water.
He brought back a few bottles of water, one for Kaka, one for Kroos who had just joined, and one for Zidane.
He winked at Zidane and grinned: "It feels good, doesn't it?"
Zidane smiled, unscrewed the bottle cap and took a sip of water, then replied: "Yes, Chris. But everything depends on the game."
"Yes, the game." Cristiano nodded in agreement.
When Zidane took office, six rounds of the league had already been completed, and their record of three wins, two draws and one loss made it difficult for them to look forward to the league title this season.
Without warm-up matches, this new team can only improve their coordination and adapt quickly through continuous competitions in the league.
Fortunately, the opponents Real Madrid faced in the next few games were not strong clubs, which gave them some time to relax.
Zidane stood in the coaching area on the sidelines in almost every game, occasionally returning to his seat to take notes.
He watched each player's movements and assessed their ability to read the game, but Real Madrid gave him little time and opportunity.
However, this relatively easy tournament soon came to an end, without giving the team much chance to breathe. Zidane had to prepare for the first derby against Atletico Madrid, their arch-rival.
In the first round of the new season, Real Madrid played away, which undoubtedly made Zidane's first derby as coach more difficult.
Atletico Madrid also made a number of new signings in this summer window, and their newly acquired French striker Griezmann was among the starting players in this match.
The young Frenchman jumped in the player tunnel and happened to jump together with Cristiano.
Cristiano smiled at his future new neighbor, and Kaka also noticed the movement here. He looked at Griezmann. The Frenchman had a reserved and quiet face, just like a good baby.
Is it the French guy who shouted "I hate you cricri"?
Kaka unobtrusively brought Cristiano back into the team, and Atletico Madrid and them were like opposites on the verge of a war, so keeping a distance was good for everyone.
Griezmann was also a little nervous. He had been following Cristiano long before he joined Atletico Madrid. Before that, they had been opponents several times. When he was still at his old club Real Sociedad, they had never won. Cristiano had scored a hat trick, a brace, and everything else.
Now that he has come to Atletico Madrid, a strong team, he secretly hopes that everything will change.
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