After the defeat to Atletico Madrid in late February, Los Blancos
were in freefall with supporters unsure of Zidane's managerial
attributes.
It was his first defeat as manager yet it looked to be a damaging one with Barcelona so far ahead in La Liga at the time.
Defeats against your local rivals are never received well and even
the 1-1 draw in the reverse fixture earned by Rafa Benitez early in the
season piled pressure on the former coach.
Benitez was eventually dismissed and there was a fear Zidane may go
the same way after the disastrous trip to the Estadio Vicente Calderon.
Yet what has happened since that defeat has taken everybody by
surprise as Real Madrid have put themselves back into contention for
both the Champions League and La Liga titles.
After the Atletico defeat, the Frenchman began to string together
results with 11 consecutive victories taking full advantage of
Barcelona's collapse in March.
This collapse was started by a defeat to a resurgent Madrid side at
the Camp Nou, a result which quietly earned Zidane huge amounts of
respect amongst supporters and the press alike.
Whilst those 11 victories in 11 matches have done enough to keep him
in a job, Zidane also has his eyes locked on another good omen involving
the number 11.
The 'Undecima' is a possibility with Real facing Atletico in this season's Champions League final.
Zidane won Real a Champions League with a famous volley and he hopes to do the same only this time from a position on the bench.
Whilst an important match for the club, the decision on the Frenchman's future has already been taken, he will keep his job.
His wonderful work since the Atletico defeat will be rewarded with
patience with the belief amongst the Madrid board that had they
appointed him sooner, Barcelona wouldn't be in such a strong position to
win the title on Sunday.
He handles the media well, he is well respected within the dressing
room and now after an early wobble, the 11 straight victories has shown
he has the makings of a good coach.
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