Should they suffer a humiliating group-stage exit, ending
their remarkable run as the only team to ever avoid elimination at this phase,
coach Zinedine Zidane’s future will be at risk.
A win for either side in the Spanish capital will guarantee
them passage through to the last 16 from Group B.
If Madrid draw and Shakhtar win or draw with Inter Milan in
the other group match, the Spanish giants will be out.
Reports in the Spanish capital have linked Madrid with
former Tottenham coach Mauricio Pochettino, currently, without a club, should
they part ways with Zidane, while Real Madrid Castilla coach Raul Gonzalez, a
prolific striker for the club in the past, has been touted as a ‘plan B’.
The Frenchman’s predecessor Santiago Solari was sacked after
the humiliating last-16 exit against Ajax in the Champions League in 2019,
paving the way for him to return just 10 months after his sudden departure.
Last season’s elimination at the same phase by Manchester
City was mitigated by the team’s strong domestic performance, as they ground
their way to the Spanish title, but another early failure in Europe may prove
to be the final straw for trigger-happy president Florentino Perez.
“Zizou is a magnificent coach, a good friend, and will do
everything possible to have Madrid in the best position possible,” said former
Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas, defending the coach against the mounting
speculation over his future.
“You cannot live in the past, but he has earned the right to
lead Madrid.”
– Ramos returns –
However, despite his success during two stints in charge,
winning three Champions League trophies, two La Liga titles and two Club World
Cups among other silverware, and his fine history as a player, a defeat could
make Zidane Madrid’s eighth managerial casualty in 10 years.
He is at least boosted by the return of captain Sergio Ramos
and right-back Dani Carvajal. The Spanish duo are important parts of Madrid’s
defence.
Ramos in particular is essential, with Madrid having lost
eight of their last 10 European games in which the 35-year-old has not played,
including the Ajax and Manchester City eliminations.
Zidane got a boost after a narrow 1-0 victory over Sevilla
on Saturday, Real’s first Liga win since October.
“The last few days have been very tough but this team has a
lot of character and loves challenges,” Zidane said.
“Today’s win is very important for what is coming next. We
know when we don’t play well we will be criticised but we have to focus on the
positives and keep trying to find consistency.”
Madrid almost fell to defeat in Germany in October but
last-gasp goals from Karim Benzema and Casemiro helped them earn a 2-2 draw
after Marcus Thuram’s double put Gladbach ahead.
A pair of wins against Antonio Conte’s underwhelming Inter
Milan got Madrid back on track but a dismal 2-0 away defeat by Shakhtar Donetsk
at the start of December left Zidane desperately needing a victory this week.
Madrid then hosts league leaders Atletico Madrid in a derby
clash on Saturday, another crucial match in a week which could define the
Spanish champions’ season, and their coach’s future.
After the Shakhtar defeat, Zidane insisted he had no
intention of resigning, but if the team stumble against Marco Rose’s Gladbach,
that decision may be taken out of his hands.
AFP/NAN