Zidane’s Real Madrid finish games strongly with late goals
Real Madrid have finished strongly under the French coach, winning a number of key games in the final 10 minutes.
The Zidane effect hasn’t just been psychological, it’s also been physical. His first move after taking over from Benitez was to hold a mini pre-season of sorts after Christmas. That decision is now bearing fruit. Real Madrid are finishing games more strongly than their rivals and it shows: they’ve won an additional 10 points in the final 10 minutes of league games and conceded just three goals, against Las Palmas, Athletic Bilbao and Getafe (none of which changed the final outcome of the game).
Zidane’s men have managed to break the deadlock and secure a win in the final minutes of 5 games, gaining an extra 2 points per match. Interestingly, they’ve all come away from home.
Granada 1 – 2 Real Madrid (7th February): Luka Modric broke the deadlock in the 85th minute with a magnificent long-range effort. Karim Benzema had opened the scoring in the first half before El Arabi equalized on the hour mark. The win at Los Cármenes was Zidane’s first late win.
Las Palmas 1 – 2 Real Madrid (13th March): Casemiro’s turn to be the hero. Madrid had the game more or less under control after Sergio Ramos scored on 24 minutes but ex-Castilla stiker William José equalized with just 3 minutes left to play. With the game all but over, Casemiro rose high to head home an 89th minute corner and ensure that Madrid returned to the capital with all 3 points.
Barcelona 1 – 2 Real Madrid (2nd April): A turning point in the league, giving hope to Real Madrid and kick-starting a crisis period for Barcelona. Pique gave Barça the lead with a 56th minute header but Benzema quickly equalized just 6 minutes later. Following Sergio Ramos’s red card for a second yellow, Cristiano stepped up to beat Bravo in the 85th minute to secure a memorable win.
Rayo Vallecano 2 – 3 Real Madrid (23rd April): Gareth Bale proved the hero in a crazy game at Vallecas. Rayo quickly went 2-0 up through goals from Embarba and Miku and forced Madrid to come from behind. The Welshman scored a brace, a 35th minute header and the match-winner in the 81st. Lucas Vazquez also got on the scoresheet with the equalizer.
Real Sociedad 0 – 1 Real Madrid (30th April): Bale once again the hero at the death. The Welshman was the difference in a very even game, getting in front of his marker to head home Lucas Vazquez’s 80th minute cross. Zidane’s side know how to suffer and don’t give up in games until the final whistle.