Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane is over the moon after the incredible year his team has had. Los Blancos racked up several accolades during the year and also ended 2016 on top of La Liga.
To top it all off, they managed to win the Club World Cup by defeating Kashima Antlers in the final yesterday. Ronaldo scored a hat-trick as the Madrid club ran out 4-2 winners on the night.
The newly-crowned Ballon d’Or winner has been in fine form over the last few weeks after a slow start to the 2016/17 season. Zidane was ecstatic after the win and expressed his joy in the most unusual way possible.
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Speaking at a press conference he said, “2016 has been the dog's bollocks! For everyone, for the players... It's been phenomenal and I'm delighted with the work we've done.”
"There's no key aspect but what we've been doing is improving in every game. Of course, we suffer sometimes and we don't play as we should, but that's normal. The good thing is that we do things positively. We know that, at any moment, we can hurt our opponent.”
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Real Madrid won the UEFA Champions League last season and have now added the Club World Cup to the list of silverware this calendar year. After a positive result against Barcelona in the El Clasico, they have managed to maintain a 3-point lead at the top.
They also have a game in hand over the Catalans which will come in handy when the domestic season resumes in January.
Real Madrid were given a run for their money by Kashima Antlers
The Club World Cup is a competition that has been dominated by European teams in the past and Madrid went into the final on Sunday as firm favorites. But Los Blancos found themselves 2-1 down with just over 30 minutes to play.
Zidane explained what he had to change tactically to turn it around for Los Blancos. “We had to do something. We were behind and we had to put Marcelo and Dani further forward, but they could only play there for 30 or 35 minutes. They ran like motorbikes, and Sergio [Ramos] and [Raphael] Varane did well. Then Casemiro also helped. I wouldn't discount doing it again.”
The relief on the Frenchman's face was there to see as the referee blew the final whistle and he later explained the toll 2016 had taken on him. "I don't have a voice and I'm tired inside because I haven't slept well for these last few days. But it doesn't matter, because we've done another great thing. Now it's time to rest. The president was very happy to have won another title.”
