Sports

Zidane uses two team ploy to make winning start to managerial career

A few bright sparks along the way

Zinedine Zidane got off to a winning start as Castilla boss thanks to a last-gasp winner from Alberto Lozano against Guadalajara. It was by no means a thriller, but that is the nature of the beast in reserve football and a win is a win. There were, however, a few bright sparks along the way and 'Zizou' also sprang the odd surprise with his team sheet, both in the starting XI and on the bench.

Before kick-off, all eyes were firmly on one man. Okay, two men: the other was new signing Eero Markkanen, a hulking monster of a striker weighing 100 kg, standing almost two meters tall and wearing the number 9 shirt. Impossible to miss from the stands, he is not too shabby on the pitch either, with the proverbial 'good touch for a big man'. He offered some exciting glimpses on his debut and even had a chance to score. The Finnish forward will be one of the main attractions for Castilla all season long, as his age makes him ineligible to also turn out for the first team (Spanish FA rules dictate that registered reserve players over 23 must be given a first-team squad number or they are confined to B-team action).

Markkanen aside, Zidane and the 'Los Blancos' fans will have been happy to see Peruvian playmaker Cristian Benavente looking on song in the first half after a wretched last year. The French tactician sent on a whole new team after the interval, with Gonzalo Melero pulling the strings and Lozano leading the line. Ultimately, though, it would have been your run-of-the-mill friendly if not for the presence of 'Zizou', whose reign is now well and truly underway.

Via Soccerly.com

Editorial@sandiegored.com

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