Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane let his guard down and took responsibility for “a bad night” as the 13-time UCL winners got a shock 2-3 defeat at the hands of Ukrainian club Shakhtar Donetsk. Taking the blame for the humiliating loss to second-string side, Zidane said:
“I did not see the team as I wanted and when you do not see the team as you wanted it is your fault,” Zidane said.
“It’s a bad game, a bad night. I’m the coach and it’s up to me to find the solution.
“We deserve the criticism, all of us, and me first. Luckily, we had a reaction in the second half because they don’t deserve that, they are champions and it bothers me.
“I am responsible and I have to look for solutions because that cannot happen.”
The Upsetting Shakhtar Donetsk
The Ukrainian champions arrived in Madrid without 13 first-team members who contracted coronavirus. The club had no choice but to bring in the reserves and players from the youth setup. Luis Castro campaigners rose to the moment with the daunting display of skill and teamwork against the Spanish giants and surprised everyone after taking 3-0 lead at empty Alfredo di Stefano in nightmarish moments.
Goals from Luka Mordic and Vinicius Junior gave the home team some hope but couldn’t save the most decorated side at the prestigious tourney from a demoralizing loss. Federico Valverde attempted stoppage-time equalizer was ruled offside by the pitchside referee Srdjan Jovanovic.
The defeat came after a shock 1-0 loss against newly-promoted Cadiz on Saturday.
The Club Legend and Coach
Zidane who is widely regarded as one of the GOATS of the game, conquered UCL title in each of his first three campaigns as Real’s Boss but his decision to rest the first-choice for next Saturday’s El Clasico was detrimental causing huge aberration.
In the absence of Sergio Ramos, Los Blancos defense lacked the depth while Raphael Varane goal proved enough to make the loss irreparable. The fact that Real have lost 7 of their last 8 UCL fixtures without Ramos is strikingly telling about how crucial Ramos is to their defense line.
“We have a match every three days. But hey, there is no excuse,” Zidane said.
“These are decisions that I have made and I have to find what will lead us to become strong again and win. And I have few days.”
