While the limelight engulfed Cristiano Ronaldo during Real Madrid’s beating of Bayern Munich over two legs and Atletico Madrid in their first encounter of the semi-final, there is still plenty of plaudits left for Zinedine Zidane.
The Frenchman is targeting the title of the first modern era coach to defend his Champions League crown, and with only 17 months’ experience at the top, beating the likes of Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho to the honour would be a significant achievement.
Of course, Ronaldo has bagged the goals but it’s Zidane’s management of the Portuguese forward that has been most impressive this year, with Atleti doused by a trio of poacher’s goals on Tuesday night.
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In addition, the coach’s use of Marco Asensio and Lucas Vazquez off the bench stretched a game that others would try and keep tight, injecting the impetus to achieve an almost unassailable three-goal lead.
Having already knocked out his former master, Carlo Ancelotti, the studious tactician has his eyes on a trophy that he enjoyed lifting as a player and that mentality has certainly been transferred to the dugout.
