Zinedine Zidane was pleased after Real Madrid’s 3-1 win over Liverpool and did not hide his joy at the role Vinicius played in the meringue victory with his two goals.
“I’m glad, because (Vinicius) needed to score like Marc or Karim. He’s playing well, he’s helping the team and when he scores a goal, he gives him more energy,” the French coach stressed.
The duel began with a monologue by the whites. First, with a goal from Vinicius and then another from Asensio after an error by Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold, so that Real Madrid went to the break with a clear advantage.
Varane’s coronavirus discharge, according to Zidane, did not disrupt his initial plan.
“We haven’t changed anything, we’ve just changed Eder Militao for Varane, (formation) 4-3-3. We haven’t changed anything we prepare,” Zidane insisted.
The meringue coach also stressed that his initial reading of the game with balls on the back of the “network” fans was the right one.
“His sides are very offensive players and we have done well in this regard, taking advantage of the quality we have with Toni Kroos and Vini and his speed,” he explained in relation to his approach.
In the second half, Liverpool took a step forward, which ended with Mohamed Salah’s goal bringing them closer, but from that moment on, the Madrid team regained control of the duel to score the third, when Vinicius failed to score inside the box after an assist by Luka Modric.
“In the second half, they threw a shot and scored. It’s complicated, but I don’t have to say anything,” Zidane said in relation to the English team’s reaction. “We came out under pressure, we came in a little late, there’s a rejection for them and that’s it. These are things that come and can happen, but I stick with my team’s, with what we did.”
Real Madrid will travel to Anfield next week to play the return leg against Liverpool on Wednesday.