COMSMEDIA MAGAZINE 2ND EDITION

COMSMEDIA

MONDAY, AUGUST 4 - SUNDAY, AUGUST 9, 2020.

MAGAZINE

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Can Zidane

perform

the magic

again?

Efficiency and unbeatable price

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Champions League

THE UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE came about as a new version

of the European Cup and was played for the first time in

the 1992-1993 season. Already established as the most prestigious

club tournament in football, Champions League has become

even more popular with the introduction of a mini-league group stage

system. The new concept had a resemblance to the FIFA World Cup with

an early phase of group play followed by a knockout phase. On several occasions

has the competition expanded to include more clubs – the initial

8 have become 32 (qualification stage excluded). The Champions League

trophy can be kept permanently by a club that win the tournament five times

or three times in a row (since the rule changed in 2008 it is only a replica). It

is today almost as adored as the FIFA World Cup Trophy.

Winners and runners-up

All the finals in the history of the Champions League.

Season Winner Runner-up

2018-2019 Liverpool Tottenham

2017-2018 Real Madrid Liverpool

2016-2017 Real Madrid Juventus

2015-2016 Real Madrid Atlético Madrid

2014-2015 Barcelona Juventus

2013-2014 Real Madrid Atlético Madrid

2012-2013 Bayern Munich Borussia Dortmund

2011-2012 Chelsea Bayern Munich

2010-2011 Barcelona Manchester United

2009-2010 Internazionale Bayern Munich

2008-2009 Barcelona Manchester United

2007-2008 Manchester United Chelsea

2006-2007 Milan Liverpool

2005-2006 Barcelona Arsenal

2004-2005 Liverpool Milan

2003-2004 Porto Monaco


2001-2002 Real Madrid Bayer Leverkusen

2000-2001 Bayern Munich Valencia

1999-2000 Real Madrid Valencia

1998-1999 Manchester United Bayern Munich


1996-1997 Borussia Dortmund Juventus

1995-1996 Juventus Ajax

1994-1995 Ajax Milan

1993-1994 Milan Barcelona

1992-1993 Marseille Milan

History

If the precessor, European Cup, is not counted

the Champions League started in 1992. Although,

when statistics are presented for Champions League

it is common that Champions League and European

League are accumulated.

What distinguish the Champions League from

European Cup is for many the group play instead of

the round-robin format. The fact is, however, that a

group stage was introduced already in 1991, but the

reshaping became formalised by the name shift. In

the development of the competition a hybrid-form of

group play and round-robin has evolved.

The tournaments have so far been dominated

by the top European clubs and few surprise victories

have occurred. Perhaps Porto’s victory in 2004

should be counted as the biggest surprise. Potential

sensations that could have happened was Nantes in

1995-96 that almost managed to go through Juventus

in the semi-finals (lost 3-4 on aggregate). If Dynamo

Kyiv had won in 1998-99 it would also be seen as a

sensation; they were only one goal down on aggregation

against Bayern Munich in the semi-finals. Two

years later, Leeds reached the semi-finals, but wasn’t

near to beat Valencia that time. Villa Real is another

club that is not familiar to be seen at the final steps

in the biggest events; they were only one goal down

on aggregation against Arsenal in the semi-finals in

2006.

Statistics

These clubs have won the most titles in the Champions

League, the predecessor European Cup excluded.


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4 I COMSMEDIA MAGAZINE

Can Zidane

perform the

the two clubs,

winning the

possession battle

and creating

more scoring

chances in a 3-2

triumph.

magic again?

The match also

showed how

explosive these

two teams can

MANCHESTER CITY HAVE

be. It was scoreless

for the first 67 minutes before a span

LET countless opportunities

slip away during Champions

of five goals in 22 minutes. So if Madrid

League play and now their

isn’t sound in the defensive third early,

backs are against the wall with two matches

left in group play. Anything less than a

City could snag a couple quick ones.

victory against Real Madrid and City will

That’s why it’s such an advantage to have

be eliminated.

a reliable veteran goalkeeper like Iker

Knowing where City stands, the La Liga

Casillas. He’s been through these type of

champions should expect to see plenty of

pressure-packed matches many times in

desperation from their Premier League

his storied career and will be prepared for

counterparts on Wednesday. It’s going to

whatever City throws his way.

take a lot of discipline, especially early in

Sergio Aguero and Carlos Tevez each

the match, for Madrid to survive the siege.

scored twice over the weekend against

The key for Los Blancos is employing a

Aston Villa. Manager Roberto Mancini

conservative approach early. City is going

to be in all-out attack mode from the

will likely turn to the in-form duo again,

hoping lightning strikes twice in less than

opening whistle trying to gain an

a week to get City back in the mix.

early edge, so

Madrid

The best chances for Cristiano Ronaldo

can’t afford

to get

and Karim Benzema, who both scored in

caught out-

numbered

at the

the first meeting, will likely come on the

counterattack. With the Citizens pressing

back.

up front, there should be several chances

If they sur-

v i v e

to break out in response.

that first

wave

All told, fans should be in for an exciting

of pressure,

back-and-forth clash. While

the Span-

i s h

City is desperate

to stay

side should

be in

terrific shape.

T h e y

alive, Madrid

would

controlled

the first

match between

love to eliminate

one of

the top


both sides.

Unfortunately for the Premier League

leaders, a draw seems like the most probable

outcome.

pre-tournament

contenders

before the knockout

stages. So

there’s a lot of

motivation on


COMSMEDIA MAGAZINE I 5

Does The

Catalan have

what it takes

to get to the

next stage?

Kick-off: 2000, 08/08/2020

Stadium: Camp Nou

BARCELONA HAVE STUT-

TERED a bit this season but past

history suggests they should account

for Napoli in the Champions

League at Camp Nou.

The Catalan giants have drawn away in

the first leg of a European tie on 26 occasions,

but eventually went on to progress

in 21 of those encounters.

With their opponents being even more

out of sorts, we like 3/2 for the hosts to

be ahead at half-time and full-time for our

first Barcelona vs Napoli prediction.

A Look At Barcelona’s Betting Odds

Barcelona fell behind to a clinical Dries

Mertens strike from the edge of the area

in the opening leg at Stadio San Paolo and

looked in trouble at the break.

However, they stepped up a gear in the

second half and levelled through a wellworked

Antoine Griezmann goal on 57

minutes.

Barca’s form has been patchy since the

restart, dropping points in four of 11 La

Liga games to finish five behind Real Madrid

at the top of the table.

A 2-1 home loss to Osasuna and a couple

of 2-2 draws with Atletico Madrid and

Celta Vigo highlighted issues in midfield

and defence.

Having to cope without Sergio

Busquets and Arturo Vidal here due to

suspension, plus the injured Samuel Umtiti,

only enhances those problems.

Lionel Messi recently hit out at Barca’s

lack of sparkle, stating: “If we want to win

the Champions League, we’ll have to improve

massively.”

The Catalan giants did beat Inter Milan

2-1 and Borussia Dortmund 3-1 here in

the group stage, though, and the delay has

allowed Luis Suarez to return from injury.

Looking at the Barcelona vs Napoli

odds, we’re going with 19/10 for a home

win and both teams to score.

A Look At Napoli’s Betting Odds

Napoli are unbeaten in this competition

and notably took four points off Liverpool

during the group stage.

However, Gli Azzurri traditionally do

not travel well in Europe and have even

struggled on the road in Serie A this season.

Gennaro Gattuso initially inspired an

upturn in fortunes after replacing Carlo

Ancelotti, including a Coppa Italia final

triumph over Juventus on penalties.

But three defeats and just one win in

their last five away league games contributed

to a lowly seventh-place finish.

Napoli were soundly beaten at Atalanta

and Inter Milan, suggesting they currently

lack the quality to compete at this level.

Key defender Kostas Manolas is out

and even a strong forward line featuring

the likes of Dries Mertens and Lorenzo

Insigne is unlikely to save them.

Let’s add 11/1 for the hosts to prevail

3-1 to our Barcelona vs Napoli betting

tips.

First-leg result:

NAPOLI 1-1 BARCELONA

– Dries Mertens + Antoine Griezmann



Bayern vs Chelse

Champions Leagu

What happened in the first leg?

What happened in the first leg?

Bayern blew the Blues away on 25 February.

Serge Gnabry struck twice in four

early second-half minutes, but it was the

visitors’ third that was the pick of the

bunch. Philippe Coutinho released the

outstanding Alphonso Davies with a cute

flick and his cross was buried by Robert

Lewandowski.

Possible line-ups

Bayern: Neuer; Kimmich, Boateng,

Alaba, Davies; Thiago, Goretzka; Gnabry,

Müller, Coman; Lewandowski

Out: Pavard (ankle)

Misses next game if booked: Kimmich,

Thiago Players added to squad:

Arrey-Mbi, Musiala, Tillman Players removed

from squad: Mai, Batista Meier,

Singh, Zirkzee.

Chelsea: Caballero; Rüdiger, Christensen,

Zouma; James, Kovačić, Barkley,

Emerson; Mount, Giroud, Hudson-Odoi

Out: Alonso (suspended), Jorginho

(suspended), Loftus-Cheek (hamstring),

Pulišić (hamstring), Azpilicueta (hamstring),

Pedro (shoulder), Gilmour (knee)

Doubts: Kanté (hamstring), Willian

(unspecified)

Misses next game if booked: Azpilicueta,

Zouma

Players added to squad: none

Players removed from squad: none

Expert predictions

Jordan Maciel, Bayern reporter: Bayern

took a big step towards the quarter-finals

at Stamford Bridge and established themselves

as one of the tournament favourites.

Hansi Flick’s side have gone from strength

to strength since, romping to the German

double amid a 17-match winning run.

Chelsea have nothing to lose and an early

goal may reignite this tie, but the hosts are

simply too strong to let their commanding

lead slip.

Jon Phipps, Chelsea reporter: Chelsea

already faced an uphill battle after being

outclassed by Bayern in west London –

and now are down to the bare bones after

losing three players to injury in their

FA Cup final defeat by Arsenal, including

their skipper César Azpilicueta and the

outstanding Christian Pulišić. It seems

unlikely N’Golo Kanté will be risked after

seven games out as well, so the Blues are

short of options. They may have the edge

in match fitness having only just finished

their domestic campaign, but it’s going to

be a really tough task.

Bayern

Form: WWWWW (all competitions,

most recent first).

Where they finished: 1st in Bundesliga,

German Cup winners

Chelsea

Form: LWLWW

Where they stand: 4th in Premier

League, FA Cup finalists

Previous meetings

• In the 2012 UEFA Champions League

final, Thomas Müller’s 83rd-minute header

had seemingly given Jupp Heynckes’

Bayern victory at their Fußball Arena

München home, but five minutes later

Didier Drogba headed an equaliser for

a Chelsea team managed by Roberto Di

Matteo. Former Blues winger Arjen Robben

had an extra-time penalty saved by

Petr Čech and there was more spot-kick

misery for Bayern in the shoot-out, despite

Juan Mata’s miss. Čech saved from Ivica

Olić and Bastian Schweinsteiger, leaving

Drogba to convert the decisive kick and

give Chelsea a 4-3 penalty triumph. Lampard

scored Chelsea’s third attempt while

Manuel Neuer converted from the spot

for Bayern, for whom Jérôme Boateng

played 120 minutes.

• Bayern were victorious in the 2013

UEFA Super Cup between the teams, at

the Eden Arena in Prague. A Bayern side

then coached by Josep Guardiola twice

came from behind, Franck Ribéry (47)

and Javi Martínez (120+1) cancelling out

goals from Fernando Torres (8) and Eden

Hazard (93) to force another penalty

shoot-out against José Mourinho’s Chelsea.

Bayern ran out 5-4 winners on spot

kicks after Chelsea’s Romelu Lukaku had

the tenth penalty of the shoot-out saved

by Neuer. David Alaba scored Bayern’s

first kick; Lampard again converted Chelsea’s

third.

• Bayern and Chelsea first met in the

2004/05 UEFA Champions League quarter-finals,

Mourinho’s Blues prevailing 6-5



at home to Premier League clubs. Prior to

that they had not prevailed in four matches

in Bavaria, including the 2012 final defeat

on penalties by Chelsea.

• Bayern have lost only one of their 25

UEFA ties in which they won the away

first leg, going out to Internazionale in the

2010/11 UEFA Champions League round

of 16 (1-0 away, 2-3 home). The most recent

of their 24 aggregate wins was against

Sevilla in the 2017/18 UEFA Champions

League quarter-finals (2-1 a, 0-0 h).

a

e preview

on aggregate against Felix Magath’s Bayern.

Chelsea won the first leg 4-2 at home,

Lampard scoring twice with Drogba also

on target. Lampard and Drogba struck

again in the second leg as Bayern won 3-2

on the night but went out on aggregate.

Form guide

Bayern

• Bayern became only the seventh team

– and first from Germany – to win all six

games in the UEFA Champions League

group stage this season, opening their

campaign with a 3-0 win at home to Crvena

zvezda before a 7-2 win at Tottenham

in which Gnabry scored four goals. Olympiacos

were then beaten away (3-2) and

home (2-0), the latter result securing their

place in the round of 16 with two games to

spare, before a 6-0 victory at Crvena zvezda

on Matchday 5 guaranteed first place

in the section. Bayern rounded off a perfect

group campaign with a 3-1 home win

against Spurs in Munich.

• Lewandowski scored in Bayern’s first

five group games and is the top scorer in

this season’s UEFA Champions League

with 11 goals.

• Bayern were the only side to collect

maximum points in this season’s group

stage, and finished as top scorers with 24

goals – one short of Paris Saint-Germain’s

competition record, set in 2017/18.

• Bayern’s round of 16 record is W11 L4.

They had won seven ties in a row before

losing to another English club, Liverpool,

last season (0-0 a, 1-3 h). It was their earliest

exit from the competition since an

away-goals defeat at the hands of Internazionale

in 2010/11. They have reached

the knockout phase in each of the past 12

seasons.

Bayern have lost three of their last five

home matches in the UEFA Champions

League knockout stage, including the last

two – against Liverpool last season and

Real Madrid in the 2017/18 semi-final

first leg (1-2).

• Despite three victories this season, Bayern

have won only five of their last nine

UEFA Champions League matches in Munich

(D2 L2).

• This is Bayern’s 23rd UEFA Champions

League campaign, fewer only than Barcelona

and Real Madrid (both 24). They

have now won their section 16 times.

• Champions of Germany for a record

29th time last season – with a landmark

seventh successive Bundesliga title – Bayern

had reached the UEFA Champions

League quarter-finals or better in seven

successive campaigns before losing to Liverpool

last season.

• Bayern’s record in two-legged ties

against English clubs is W10 L6; they had

won five in a row before last season, their

first defeat since losing to Chelsea in the

2004/05 quarter-finals.

• Last season’s defeat against Liverpool

ended Bayern’s four-match winning run

• They have won the away first leg 3-0

only once before, against Partizan in the

2002/03 UEFA Champions League third

qualifying round (3-1 h).

• Bayern’s record in six UEFA penalty

shoot-outs is W5 L1:

4-3 v Åtvidaberg, 1973/74 European

Champion Clubs’ Cup first round

9-8 v PAOK, 1983/84 UEFA Cup second

round

5-4 v Valencia, 2000/01 UEFA Champions

League final

3-1 v Real Madrid, 2011/12 UEFA Champions

League semi-final

3-4 v Chelsea, 2011/12 UEFA Champions

League final

5-4 v Chelsea, 2013 UEFA Super Cup

Chelsea

• Chelsea kicked off this season’s group

stage with a 1-0 defeat at home against

Valencia, Lampard’s side responding with

successive away victories, beating LOSC

Lille 2-1 and Ajax 1-0. They drew their

next two games, coming back from 4-1

down to draw 4-4 with nine-man Ajax before

a 2-2 draw at Valencia on Matchday

5, but made sure of a knockout place with

a 2-1 win at home to LOSC. They finished

level with Valencia on 11 points but behind

the Spanish side on head-to-head

record.

The Matchday 5 draw at Valencia extended

Chelsea’s unbeaten run in European

away matches to ten (W7 D3).

Third in last season’s Premier League,

Chelsea also qualified for the 2019/20

UEFA Champions League as the winners

of the UEFA Europa League, and are

taking part for the 16th time; this is their

14th appearance in the round of 16.

• The London club’s record in the round

of 16 is W8 L5. They have lost their last

three contests at this stage, most recently

going down 4-1 on aggregate to Barcelona

(1-1 h, 0-3 a) in 2017/18.

• This is only the fourth time Chelsea

have been away in the second leg of their

round of 16 tie; their aggregate record in

the previous three ties is W1 L2.



Juventus

looking

overcom

JUVENTUS WILL Be looking to overcome a one-goal deficit

in the Champions League tie against Olympique Lyon

when they host les Gones at their Allianz Stadium on Friday

evening. The Bianconeri impressed in the 2019/20 Serie A

campaign, with the team defending Scudetto without any difficulties.

Maurizio Sarri’s men are now on a quest to go all the way

in the elite competition, and they are likely to go all guns blazing

at Olympique Lyon in the return leg.

Cristiano Ronaldo returns to the starting XI after he was rested

in a 3-1 loss to Roma, while Paulo Dybala is rated doubtful for

Friday’s clash. Despite producing a fine display in the Coupe de

la Ligue final, Lyon eventually suffered a loss to PSG on penalties.

The Ligue 1 side are eager to defend their slim lead in the Allianz

Stadium clash, but home win should be considered as Juve have

turned their home ground into a real fortress.

is considered one of the world’s best football players. The Portuguese

ace was born on 5 February, 1985 in Funchal, Madeira

and he played for the likes of Andorinha,

during his youth career. CR7 made his Spo

ra Liga on 7 October, 2002, scoring two g

Moreirense.

Manchester United scouts spotted him

joined the Old Trafford outfit. Ronaldo be

sive teenager in the history of the Prem

ceived the number 7 shirt. He quickly est

team’s key player and it has to be noted tha

utive Premier League trophies with the R

2007/2008, 2008/2009). In 2008 he helped

fit beat Chelsea in the Champions League

Ferguson’s troops in the regular time.

Ronaldo joined Real Madrid in 2009 a

ish giants with two Champions League tro

the European Championship trophy with

drid ace has two Golden Ball awards (201



to

e

Nacional and Sporting

rting debut in Primeioals

in a 3-0 win over

and one year later he

came the most expenier

League and he reablished

himself as the

t he won three conseced

Devils (2006/2007,

the Old Trafford outfinal,

scoring for Alex

nd he helped the Spanphies.

In 2016 he won

Portugal. The Real Ma-

3, 2014).



100% sure

as Inter fac

FIVE MONTHS LATER than

originally intended, Inter Milan

and Getafe face off in the last

16 of the Europa League at the

VELTINS-Arena on Wednesday evening.

The tie will now be a one-legged affair

on neutral soil in Gelsenkirchen after

the original meeting between the sides in

March was called off by the coronavirus

pandemic.

Either Rangers or Bayer Leverkusen

await the winners off this match in the

quarter-finals of the condensed tournament,

which will be played out over the

next three weeks.

Inter head into Wednesday’s match

with serious questions being asked of boss

Antonio Conte’s future, with reports in

Italy suggesting that he will not survive a

second season.

That may seem remarkable on the face

of it, with the Nerazzurri ending the Serie

A campaign strongly to finish just a point

behind nine-in-a-row champions Juventus.

However, Conte has been a collision

course with his own bosses over a lack of

support both in terms of transfers and in

the media, which could see him move on

this summer.



betting odd

e Getafe

Any change in the dugout is unlikely

to take place before the reformatted Europa

League concludes, with Conte relying

on this competition to provide him with

some silverware.

Inter, despite the off-field issues, head

into this match with Getafe in good form

thanks to three wins in a row to conclude

their domestic campaign.

The Nerazzurri have lost just one of

their 14 matches post-lockdown, meanwhile,

and are considered the favourites to

win UEFA’s secondary competition.

However, while they may have seen off

Ludogorets fairly comfortably in the last

round, Inter have a pretty poor record

when it comes to beating Spanish opposition.

They have won just one of their last 12

such encounters and are winless since a

3-1 victory against Barcelona in the 2009-

10 Champions League semi-final.

Whether the winner-takes-all-nature

of this last-16 tie will suit Inter remains to

be seen, but they will certainly fancy their

chances against an out-of-form Getafe

side.

Jose Bordalas’s men knocked Dutch

heavyweights Ajax out of the competition

in the last round, but they have managed

just one win in 11 matches since returning

to action in June.

That includes a run of three defeats and

two draws to conclude the La Liga season,

seeing them slip down to eighth, just outside

a European spot.

Bordalas has had a couple of weeks to

drill his side ready for this one-off showdown

with Inter, though, and his side have

certainly caught the eye on the continent

this term.

Only Sevilla (5), Basel (6) and Manchester

United (7) have kept more clean

sheets in this seasons Europa League than

Getafe (4), who showed real grit to overcome

much-fancied Ajax.

Getafe are playing against a Spanish

side for the first time and are aiming to

reach the quarter-finals of this competition

for a second time, having done so in

2007-08.

Inter Milan’s Europa League form:

WWDLWW

Inter Milan’s form (all competitions):

WDDWWW

Over 2.5 Goals



Zidane was a

‘dancer’ and an

‘artist’ on the p

CONSIDERING YOU’VE

PROBABLY got a bit of time of

your hands, go and find a clip of

Zinedine Zidane’s performance

against Brazil at the 2006 World Cup.

Rarely have such a vast array of legends

been on the pitch at the same time outside

the world of testimonials and Soccer Aid.

Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Kaka, Cafu, Roberto

Carlos, Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira

– the list goes on.

But they were all made to look like

mere mortals by Zidane, who put in one

of the most effortlessly elegant displays of

the modern era.

When describing the iconic French

midfielder, people often rely on parallels

outside of football to capture his transcendent

brilliance.

The way he glided across the pitch was

more akin to a dancer than a footballer

and his first touch felt like an artist’s perfect

flick of a paintbrush.

You’ll struggle to find a more common



Meanwhile, Paul Pogba’s love of Zidane

has also been a driving force behind transfer

rumours linking him with a move

from Manchester United to the Bernabeu.

So while we focus more on his managerial

qualities these days, it’s worth remembering

that the iconic Juventus, Real

Madrid and France midfielder was also a

pretty big deal.

To prove it, here’s what some of football’s

most important figures said about

him…

David Beckham

Forget Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi,

Diego Maradona and Pele.Becks played

alongside Zizou at Madrid and, for him,

there has never been a better footballer.

“To train with Zinedine Zidane for

three years was a dream. For me, he is the

greatest player of all time.” Ronaldo

Name a more iconic duo than the original

Ronaldo and Zidane. We’ll wait.

The legendary striker played alongside

the greatest players of the modern era with

Barcelona, Inter, Real Madrid and Brazil.

But Zidane was his greatest partner in

crime.

“He’s the best player with whom I have

ever played with. We had a lot of fun on

the pitch.”

Paul Scholes

The Manchester United legend shares

a reciprocated love with the Frenchman.

Zidane once described Scholes as the

best midfielder of his generation – and the

Englishman thinks equally highly of his

former rival.

“One of the best two or three footballers

I have ever seen was Zinedine Zidane.

“To see Zidane in action was to witness

poetry in motion. The skills, the vision,

the goals… he was a sublime performer.

When he was at his peak, winning the

World Cup, the Champions League and

all the rest, he was unquestionably the finest

player on the planet.”

Frank Lampard

From one great England midfielder to

another, everyone was unanimous in their

appreciation of Zidane.

Lampard, Chelsea’s leading goalscorer

and current manager, saw the Frenchman

as a genius.

“I think he’s the player that really has

been my favourite for the last few years.

Playing against him you realise the man is

a real genius as a footballer.”

Marcel Desailly

Desailly has more reason to be thankful

for his compatriot’s brilliance than most.

Two Zidane headers in the 1998 World

Cup final against Brazil helped France on

their way to a 3-0 victory, despite Desailly’s

red card for a reckless challenge.

“A true artist. What he could do with

the ball was incredible.

“Only Maradona could do the same.

Zizou was also a player capable of rising to

the occasion at important moments, and

deciding games.

“Remember those two goals in the final

against Brazil in 1998? And that fantastic

goal in the final of Champions League for

Real against Bayer Leverkusen.

“It was a pity the way he finished his

career, but nothing can erase what he did

for football.”

Franco Baresi

Greatness recognises greatness. While

itch

idol for the game’s current stars, because

Zidane was the greatest player in the

world when they were all growing up.

The idolisation of Zidane the player

adds to his lure as a manager, with Eden

Hazard citing his affection for the Frenchman

on numerous occasions before leaving

Chelsea to join Real Madrid.



Lampard went for ‘genius’ and Desailly

opted for ‘artist’, the legendary Italian defender

considered Zidane more of a ‘dancer’

on the pitch.

“He was as elegant as a dancer – he

even used the soles of his boots efficiently.

“Everything was easy for him; he made

such movements that if I tried to copy

them I would break my legs.”

Ronaldinho

If you were to read the things everyone

said about Ronaldinho, they would all use

the same sort of superlatives.

The Brazilian replaced Zizou as the

game’s top player around 2005 – but his

admiration for the Frenchman was unrelenting.

“Zidane is one of the best footballers of

all time, one of my idols. He had such elegance

and grace, a wonderful touch and

superb vision.”

Mesut Ozil

There’s a certain gracefulness to Ozil’s

play which can be traced back to watching

Zidane.

And the Arsenal midfielder admits the

Frenchman had a massive influence on

the way he plays.

“My idol was Zinedine Zidane. He was

the most perfect player. His technique,

shooting and headers, his ability to read

games and boss them was fantastic.

“I always admired Zidane. He didn’t do

tricks for the sake of it. He never wanted

to show off. He just played a clever game.

He’s the player who decides games. I

watched his technique and tried to do that

in my game, and a lot of times it worked.”

Eden Hazard

Zidane’s playing career left such an influence

on Hazard that it effectively lured

the former Chelsea star to Real Madrid.

In 2017, the Belgium winger said:

“Everyone knows the respect I have for

Zidane as a player, but also as a manager.

He was my idol.

“I do not know what will happen in the

future. However, for sure, to play under

Zidane would be a dream.”

Sure enough, he made sure that dream

came true two years later.


‘Dreams do

cometrue’

- Immobile

THE STRIKER REV-

ELLED in his memorable

2019-20

campaign in which

he struck more than any

other player across Europe

Lazio star Ciro Immobile

said “dreams do come true”

after equalling Serie A’s goalscoring record and

claiming the European Golden Shoe for 2019-20.

Immobile tied Gonzalo Higuain’s record for most goals in a Serie A

season with 36 after scoring in Saturday’s 3-1 loss to Napoli.

The 30-year-old Italy forward matched the feat achieved by Higuain in

2015-16, while also collecting the coveted Golden Shoe award for the

highest goalscorer in European football.

Immobile outscored the likes of Bayern Munich star Robert Lewandowski

(34), Juventus superstar Cristiano Ronaldo (31) and Barcelona

captain Lionel Messi (25).

“I am super happy and proud of what I’ve achieved, especially when I

look back to where I started and everything I went through,” Immobile

told Lazio Style Channel .

“If you truly believe, sometimes, dreams do come true. I can only thank the

coach and staff, my team-mates, and I can assure you these records are for

the whole team.

“I also thank the Lazio fans, who made me feel indispensable for this team,

and I am so proud of that. I want to be a living example that if you never

give up, you can achieve any target.

“I’m so proud to have my place in the history of this sport. I am moved

thinking of how my team-mates greeted me in the dressing room after I

scored a hat-trick at Verona. That’s what the sport is about.”

Lazio, who qualified for the Champions League, ended the season in

fourth position, having challenged for the Scudetto prior to the coronavirus-enforced

break.

Immobile is hopeful the club can continue to make strides in the

league next season but admits their participation in the Champions

League will present a challenge.

“Our target is to improve, although it’ll be very difficult with a whole

other competition in the Champions League,” he said.

Immobile has been linked with transfer interest in the Premier League

but is contracted to Lazio until 2023 having joined the club from Sevilla in

2016.

Lazio will be desperate to keep their star striker with his goals this season

proving crucial as they improved upon an eighth-place finish in the 2018-

19 Serie A campaign.


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COMSMEDIA MAGAZINE 2ND EDITION

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