Zidane disappoints, as Real Madrid lose 1-0 at Valencia
World Player of the Year Zinedine Zidane still has a lot to do to convince the Real Madrid faithful that he is worth the 12,500 million pesetas (65.9 million dollars) the club paid for him, after the Spanish champions went down 1-0 at Valencia on Saturday.
World Player of the Year Zinedine Zidane still has a lot to do to convince the Real Madrid faithful that he is worth the 12,500 million pesetas (65.9 million dollars) the club paid for him, after the Spanish champions went down 1-0 at Valencia on Saturday.
The Frenchman had a disappointing game only showing occasional traces of his skills in the first game of the new season.
The only goal of the game came after seven minutes when Valencia midfielder Miguel Angel Angulo slotted the ball home from close range.
Vicente Rodriguez chipped in across from the left of the box and Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas could only parry the ball back to Rodriguez, who found Angulo in front of the goal.
However, Real Madrid had Casillas to thank for ensuring the they did not suffer a heavier defeat.
The Spanish international pulled off two particularly outstanding saves, from Pablo Aimar and John Carew, which most lesser keepers would have been unable to make.
Real Madrid's best chance of the match came just three minutes after the Valencia goal, when French international midfielder Claude Makelele headed against Valencia's left upright.
To add to the visitors' misery, Luis Figo was given his marching orders in injury time, after the Portuguese star got his second yellow card in a fractious match in which there were nine bookings.