KingLeo10
Senior Member
Once he fixates on a player, he’s gonna eat em up like it’s nobody’s business
Zinedine Zidane
- Thread starter footyfan
- Start date
Maradona37
Well-known member
I am a massive fan of his, but prefer Xavi myself too.
One of the biggest myths about Zizou though is that he single-handedly let France to the trophy in 1998 - he got sent off in the group stage and missed the Paraguay game in round of 16, which France only won due to a golden goal from Laurent Blanc. Zidane was pretty average in the QF against Italy too, though dispatched his penalty in the shootout. He didn't do much against Croatia in the semi - that was all about Thuram bringing them back into it.
The two headers and general great performance in the final make people reevaluate the entire tournament. But he didn't do much til the final (and Brazil were basically beaten before the match due to the R9 panic attack controversy).
One of the biggest myths about Zizou though is that he single-handedly let France to the trophy in 1998 - he got sent off in the group stage and missed the Paraguay game in round of 16, which France only won due to a golden goal from Laurent Blanc. Zidane was pretty average in the QF against Italy too, though dispatched his penalty in the shootout. He didn't do much against Croatia in the semi - that was all about Thuram bringing them back into it.
The two headers and general great performance in the final make people reevaluate the entire tournament. But he didn't do much til the final (and Brazil were basically beaten before the match due to the R9 panic attack controversy).
I thought he was quite great vs Italy in QF. Good dribbles, touches and made it hard for Italy.
Pedri can easily does what ZZ did, minus physical part as Pedri is way smaller and weaker.
Messigician
Senior Member
He can’t even do it against Newcastle
FinBarcelonafan
Well-known member
It's shame Pedri lacks that speed burst what Zidane had, which would make Pedri the best midfielder in the world.
Already did vs them earlier this season. Last match they just fouled him nonstop. Can't do much when opponent only wants to harm you.
ZZ lacked of speed but he had decent burst in his prime and his big frame + great body balance which helped him to get past his opponent.
Pedri's lack of strength and burst is perharps the reason why he doesn't often directly taking on his defenders.
Also before i think Xavi tried to turn him into more advanced midfielder and Pedri also tried to bulk up more weights but unlucky with injuries (maybe trying to put up more weights was one of reasons for his injuries?).
JamDav1982
Senior Member
They could man mark Pedri as there was very little around him to help build up play.
All players need better players around them.
Its not like the Atleti game a week earlier where they more or less let Pedri have ball and just sat off as wanted to clog defensive 3rd and not concede 4.
Necastle went out to man mark him as he had so little support.
Result was he was largely ineffective in the game bar some nice turns in areas couldnt hurt them and then fairly basic passes at end of them as barely had time to get his head up.
More of an issue was how slow he and Bernal often looked defensively as a pair when couldnt keep ball.
All players need better players around them.
Its not like the Atleti game a week earlier where they more or less let Pedri have ball and just sat off as wanted to clog defensive 3rd and not concede 4.
Necastle went out to man mark him as he had so little support.
Result was he was largely ineffective in the game bar some nice turns in areas couldnt hurt them and then fairly basic passes at end of them as barely had time to get his head up.
More of an issue was how slow he and Bernal often looked defensively as a pair when couldnt keep ball.
Maradona37
Well-known member
Yeah maybe my memory is a bit spotty on that game as it was a drab game in general. The overall point remains though that he wasn't consistently good throughout the tournament. One game as I say he was even suspended.
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