#5 Calm Presence
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Real Madrid are a very ‘singular’ club, despite what the motto of their most hated rivals may claim. This is a club where it is almost routine to boo your own superstars for a mediocre half, let alone a spell of bad form – even a player of Cristiano Ronaldo’s calibre has not been spared by the Bernabeu boo-boys. Coupled with the sensationalist Spanish media, you’re looking at a cauldron that could spell doom when things go bad.
Zidane is the Real Madrid squad’s protective cocoon – he radiates a serenity that seems to transcend the hurly-burly nature of football.
Karim Benzema explained it best, saying “He is calm. He understands and knows how to manage great players. What is strong in him, is that he never puts you under pressure on the pitch. You never feel under pressure with him. Look at the semi-final against Atletico. We were quickly behind 2-0. You look at almost every manager, they are panicking at that moment in the match. He does not budge. He remains calm. When you see that on the pitch, you are calm too… He makes us play good football. Quite simply.”
