ABU DHABI • Real Madrid coach Santiago Solari paid tribute to the "work of Zinedine Zidane" after the European champions lifted the Fifa Club World Cup for a record fourth time.
Solari's men overtook three-time winners Barcelona after thrashing Emirati outfit Al Ain 4-1 in Abu Dhabi on Saturday for his first piece of silverware since replacing the sacked Julen Lopetegui in October.
The Argentinian, however, was quick to laud Zidane, who left the LaLiga side in the summer after leading them to three straight Champions League trophies, for laying the foundation for their recent successes.
After landing Real's third straight Club World Cup, the Argentinian told reporters: "We're very happy, these players deserve this.
"This is the icing on the cake of winning the Champions League three years in a row. We can't forget we're here thanks to Zidane.
"It's going to be difficult for any team to do what this side has done."
The Spanish giants have endured a turbulent start to the season, culminating in the firing of Lopetegui, but Solari has somewhat steadied the ship with 11 wins in 13 games under his watch.
85%
Real Madrid's win rate under Santiago Solari (11 victories in 13 games), including a record fourth victory in the Fifa Club World Cup final.
They had little trouble in brushing aside Al Ain, whose surprise run to the final included a three-goal comeback against Team Wellington to triumph on penalties and a shock shoot-out victory over Copa Libertadores winners River Plate.
The opposition could not mastermind another upset as two long-range strikes from Ballon d'Or winner Luka Modric and Marcos Llorente - his maiden goal - set Real up for the comfortable win.
Tsukasa Shiotani's consolation goal was sandwiched between captain Sergio Ramos' goal for Real's third and an added-time own goal by Yahia Nader.
Llorente, who was delighted after finally getting off the mark with a fantastic volley, told reporters: "This is what we expected from ourselves, what we have been working on every week. It's my first for the senior team, and what could be better than in this final."
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, REUTERS
Solari believes in VAR as Real claim slim win at Ajax
Crystal Palace moved further away from the Premier League relegation zone with a 3-1 win at fellow strugglers Burnley on Saturday thanks to second half goals from Michy Batshuayi and Wilfried Zaha.
Palace climb away from trouble with 3-1 win at Burnley
MUNICH, Germany: Bayern Munich won a record-extending seventh consecutive Bundesliga title on Saturday after crushing Eintracht Frankfurt 5-1 to finish two points ahead of rivals Borussia Dortmund
Bayern Munich win Bundesliga title for seventh successive season
Arsenal face an uphill battle to progress in the Europa League after a 1-0 defeat by BATE Borisov in the last-32 first leg which saw Alexandre Lacazette sent off on Thursday.
BATE Borisov 1-0 Arsenal: Alexandre Lacazette sent off in
Hungry Wolves beat 10-man Manchester United 2-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers repeated their FA Cup defeat of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's Manchester United as a Chris Smalling own goal gave them another 2-1 win in a pulsating Premier League game on Tuesday.
Hungry Wolves beat 10-man Manchester United
Report Ad
Check Out Klopp on eBay. Fill Your Cart With Color Today!
Milner wants team to deliver better final ball LONDON • Following two goal-less draws, Liverpool vice-captain James Milner has urged his team to improve on their finishing by adapting better to the task of breaking down stubborn opponents.
Latest JAMES MILNER | The Straits Times
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino has said the club will trigger an extension clause in Toby Alderweireld's contract.. The Belgium defender will now be contracted to Spurs until the summer of
Tottenham to trigger Alderweireld one-year contract extension
Real Madrid's interim coach, Santiago Solari, on Saturday praised Welsh forward Gareth Bale while calling for patience with Spanish midfielder Isco Alarcon, who has yet to regain top level
Real Madrid coach praises Bale, calls for patience with Isco
I just wanted to THANK YOU for opening the 2 spots for my children. This was the first camp we attended and they had a great experience. The coaches, staff and security were on top of everything and they truly have a gift to working with kids.
Spurs Games Live
AD
fanical.com/San-Antonio-Spurs
Report Ad
Streaming Basketball Guide. Guide to Watching Basketball Games
Socceroos bounce back to knock Palestine out, Football News
Home Sport News Salah Lauds 'Unbelievable' Liverpool After Champions League Glory
Football: Salah lauds 'unbelievable' Liverpool after
Top-tier journalist Kristof Terreur: Unai Emery has been in touch with Thomas Meunier a few times 71 · 97 comments LazioNews24 [Exclusive]: Lazio in a good position to sign Alberto Moreno but are facing competition from #AFC and Betis who have started gauging the player's interest recently and are ready to make concrete steps to sign him.
The three key positions Arsenal must spend - football.london
0 comments:
Post a Comment