PSG's Real Madrid Champions League win shows Zinedine Zidane misses Cristiano Ronaldo
Posted Thursday, September 19, 2019 by Express.co.uk
PSG beating Real Madrid in Champions League shows how Cristiano Ronaldo was missed (Image: GETTY)
PSG cruised to a 3-0 win over Real Madrid in the Champions League - showing just how much Zinedine Zidane misses Cristiano Ronaldo.
PSG’s Champions League win over Real Madrid has highlighted the task Zinedine Zidane has on his hands.
When Los Blancos toiled under Julen Lopetegui and Santiago Solari last term, Florentino Perez sought drastic action. Jose Mourinho was considered but, ultimately, he chose to hire Zidane again.
Fans could have been forgiven for thinking it was a case of problem solved.
After all, Real Madrid had won three Champions League titles under the Frenchman prior to his exit. Under his guidance, they were the best team in the world.
But defeat to PSG is likely to raise more questions about the 47-year-old and his future at the Bernabeu.
Real Madrid were second best throughout the Champions League encounter.
PSG were the better team for the most part with Angel Di Maria, a former Bernabeu darling, their standout performer.
On a night where the Ligue 1 giants had no Neymar or Kylian Mbappe, it was the Argentina international who lit up the Parc des Princes.
How Real could have been forgiven for pining for a player of his quality. They used to have one, too, in the form of Cristiano Ronaldo.
Over the summer, Zidane got to work. He knew the squad needed investment and splashed the cash accordingly.
In came Eden Hazard as their new talisman, with the Belgium international joining from Chelsea.
And Ferland Mendy, Eder Milito, Alphonse Areola, Luka Jovic and Rodrygo joined him at the club as well.
However, Real’s investment appears to have done nothing. Stilll, Ronaldo hasn’t been replaced.
Gone are the days where Los Blancos would cruise through the Champions League. Hazard, on this evidence, is no Ronaldo.
Whether he likes it or not, comparisons are bound to be made. And Hazard already looks as if the task of replacing Ronaldo is beyond him.
When Real had Ronaldo in their ranks they were unstoppable.
The 34-year-old lit up the Bernabeu night after night, scoring big goals and driving them onto greater heights.
There were moments like his stunning acrobatics against Juventus, his late penalty against the same side, a brace against Bayern Munich, goals in finals against Atletico Madrid and the Old Lady and much, much more.
It’s been over a year since Real lost the Portugal international to Juventus and despite buying Hazard, he’s yet to be replaced.
PSG deserved their win. They were slicker, hungrier and more confident.
Real are a side in transition. Zidane may have won three Champions League titles in a row but that was when Ronaldo was at the club.
How times have changed.
This may be too much for Zidane. Certainly, it seems like a situation only an experienced, established coach can get them out of.
With no Ronaldo come no trophies. That’s the bottom line and Real will look at the PSG drubbing knowing they’re miles behind what they should be.
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