Cristiano Ronaldo has claimed that the Real Madrid players get on better with Zidane Zidane, a relationship they lacked with Rafael Benitez. In his first match as manager Zidane’s Real Madrid won 5-0 against Deprtivo la Coruna.
It seems the Frenchman has set the standard to a minimum of five goals as Madrid won 5-1 against Sporting Gijon last evening. Ronaldo and Benzema netted two goals each and Bale scored one to take the number to five as Zidane’s Madrid continue their brilliant form.
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Benitez lasted just 25 games in charge of Los Blancos before he was sacked. There were reports of growing discontent among the stars at the Santiago Bernebeu and the Spaniard had fallen out of favour in the dressing room. And Ronaldo has confirmed that Zidane gets more respect from the squad as he himself was a Ballon d’Or winning player.
The Portuguese forward said: “Zidane has been a boost for team. Truthfully, with some coaches you have more empathy than others. I did my job naturally under Benitez, I was serious and did the best for the club, independent of the person who is in charge of the team.
“I have never had a bad opinion of Rafa. He always did the best for Madrid, but he sees football in a different way from Zizou.
“Don’t ask me why, but the players feel more empathy for Zidane,” he explained.
Players were not behind Benitez sacking: Ronaldo
Although he was full of praise for Zidane, Ronaldo made it clear that the players were not behind the sacking of Benitez.
“Players don’t do that kind of thing. At least I don’t, independent of the empathy, you have to be serious in your job. The players are more enthused now with Zizou.”
The Madrid squad was already discontent with the sacking of Carlo Ancelotti who had helped them achieve La Decima and the appointment of Benitez as the Italian’s successor did not go down well with the players.
Zidane was Ancelotti’s assistant during the 2013/14 season and Ronaldo says that one can find similarities between Ancelotti and Zidane’s coaching style.
“His training sessions are similar. He is a calm person, but serious at his job and off the pitch he is fun,” said Ronaldo.
“He has a connection with the players and I am very happy. It is an interesting time for me and the players. We are in good form and working hard.”
It remains to be seen how the Blancos perform against the bigger teams. In La Liga they are yet to face Atletico Madrid and Barcelona in the reverse fixtures this season and will be put to the test in the Champions League against AS Roma in the Round of 16.
