Villa Prepared to Fight for Premier League Survival, Says Smith

SATURDAY, JULY 18, 2020 10

Real Madrid were crowned La Liga champions for the 34th time after Karim Benzema scored twice in a 2-1 victory over Villarreal which clinched the title with one game to spare

Real Madrid’s players celebrate winning the Liga title Zidane silences the doubters by bringing Real Madrid back to life

AFP | Madrid

ew expected Zinedine Zi- dane to leave Real Madrid Fand even fewer expected him to come back as coach. 11 And yet almost 500 days lat- trophies have been won by er, he has won the La Liga title, Zinedine Zidane after 209 without fuss, without even the games in charge of Real improvements he was promised. Madrid On Thursday, in an empty Al- fredo di Stefano Stadium at Real Madrid’s training ground, he hoisted another trophy, his sec- players, who beat Galatasaray ond in La Liga and 11th overall 1-0 and began to turn the tide. as coach. Zidane currently wins a tro- Zidane grows bolder phy every 19 games on average Real Madrid’s French forward Karim Benzema (R) scores during the match Zidane escaped and grew and while three Champions bolder. Fede Valverde came into League titles out of three was said. would be best for everyone,” he his midfield and proved the cat- historic, this might be his most Change, though, would have said. alyst for change, the Uruguayan Real Madrid’s players toss Real Zinedine Zidane after winning the Liga title impressive yet. to wait and then it never really Hazard did sign, for 100 mil- bringing dynamism and chaos to “My job is to transmit a sense wanted something.” When he was reappointed in came at all. Zidane saw out a lion euros, but arrived over - an all-too predictable midfield. of calm in the difficult mo - Zidane had a bigger squad March last year, Madrid presi- miserable 11 games of last sea- weight and then got injured, the “He’s amazing,” said Kroos. “I ments,” he said. “To be quiet, than Barcelona’s but his will- dent Florentino Perez said Zi- son where performances grew opening sequence of his night- love this player.” patient and positive.” ingness to rotate became key. dane had come again to launch worse not better. mare first year in Spain. The defence tightened too, That ability to exude confi- Tournaments have also been “a glorious new era”. Anticipation of a summer Instead of a sparkling new era, conceding nine goals during a dence and diffuse pressure ap- his strength and perhaps he re- But standing next to him was overhaul increased as Madrid’s Zidane was handed more of the crucial run of 21 games unbeaten peared even more valuable as kindled that mentality. With no Madrid’s third coach of the newspapers published polls rev- same but when the inevitable either side of Christmas. Barcelona descended into tur- time for training, the message season, taking over a team 12 elling in which of the world’s questions came about broken Ferland Mendy proved a more moil and sacked Ernesto Val- was simple: Win. points behind Barcelona, having best players should arrive. promises, he refused to stoke reliable alternative to Marcelo at verde, the coach that at least In that sense, Zidane has si- just been knocked out and out- Kylian Mbappe or Neymar? the fire. left-back while in goal, Thibaut kept the team happy, and win- lenced the doubters, even if it played by Ajax in the Champions “I would like them both,” said “The decisions that are up to Courtois blossomed. ning. remains to be seen whether he League. Perez. me are on the pitch,” he said. “Even as someone who prefers And when the coronavirus can rebuild a team or replicate Most thought it was a mistake, Zidane did not want them The trouble was those were no exciting, attacking football, the pandemic hit, Madrid’s play- his success elsewhere. the coach that had gone out on all but there was one he des - better. Draws against Valladolid defence is the most important ers reacted better, coming back But just as this Madrid were a the highest of highs returning to perately wanted, Manchester and Villarreal were followed by thing right now,” Zidane said. revitalised, more determined mess without him, with him they a team in tatters. United’s Paul Pogba, who he humiliation in Paris. Defeat by In attack, he trusted two than ever that an 11-match sprint are celebrating again. Cristiano Ronaldo was gone was convinced could change Real Mallorca in October left young Brazilians, Vinicius Jun- would end with a trophy. Few expected him there but and it seemed those that re - everything. Zidane on the brink of the sack. ior and Rodrygo, and between “After lockdown there was Zidane was right in his first mained had lost the hunger. “We Yet Pogba stayed put and so “I know how this works,” said them, Karim Benzema found something very particular,” said press conference. “Change is will change things, for sure, and too did Gareth Bale, who Zidane Zidane, with Jose Mourinho arguably the best form of his Zidane on Wednesday. “I could for the future,” he said. “The for the years to come,” Zidane was assured would be sold. “It ready, but perhaps that jolted the entire career. see it in training. The players important thing is I’m back.” Villa prepared to fight for Premier League survival, says Smith

Reuters | London to remain in the top division ers. Since lockdown I’ve been to 150 million pounds ($188.54 when Theo Walcott head - consistent in what I have been million) to overhaul their squad ston Villa boss Dean Smith ed in an 87th-minute equal - saying about the performances,” during the close season but Asaid there is plenty of fight iser to earn the hosts a 1-1 Smith told reporters. Smith believes they can finish left in his players as they battle draw. “Our defensive organisation strongly. for Premier League survival and The result left Villa in 19th has been good and we’ve mer- “The players are a resilient backed the team to win their re- place, level on 31 points with ited more wins than we have bunch... we had a lot of change maining two matches and boost Bournemouth above them on got... we could have had at least in the summer. We’ve got better,” their chances. goal difference, with games three or four wins. Unfortunate- Smith added. Villa appeared on course for against Arsenal and West Ham ly we’ve been a bit lacking in the “There are a lot of players who a crucial victory at Everton United still to come. final third.” are playing well and that gives on Thursday but were dealt “I know we’re not out of it. Villa have won only eight you hope to go and win the last a massive blow in their quest I can see the fight in the play- Aston Villa boss Dean Smith reacts during a match games despite spending close two games.”