After Real Madrid’s defeat against Shakhtar Donetsk in the UEFA Champions League, all eyes are on head coach Zidane.

The soccer world claimed that Zidane has a magical effect on the Real Madrid squad after winning many trophies including the Champions League three times consecutively. Most recently, Zidane won the 2019-20 La Liga competition. 

However, this season things look different for the current Real Madrid squad. Real Madrid is at risk of not qualifying for the Champions League last 16 round and is currently fourth in La Liga after losing against Alaves, 1-2. 

Zidane’s decisions partially contribute to the club’s poor season so far. His tactics and playing style have not changed, despite his aging squad. Therefore, the results won’t be positive. 

In a press conference after Real Madrid’s defeat against Shakhtar Donetsk, Zidane claimed, “I am not going to resign, not at all. We are always going to have difficult moments, and we are on a bad run, but we need to keep going.” 

Sources claimed that Zidane’s job is under threat. Some of the candidates that could replace Zidane include former Tottenham coach Mauricio Pochettino and former Real Madrid star Raul. 

Aside from Zidane, injuries have also greatly affected the Real Madrid squad. Most recently, Belgian star Eden Hazard came off injured during the fixture against Alaves. Hazard is expected to be sidelined for a few weeks. 

Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos and young midfielder Fede Valverde are also sidelined with injuries. After recovering from an injury, right-back Dani Carvajal picked up another one recently and will miss a few games with the squad. Madrid’s right back backup Alvaro Odriozola is expected to return soon after recovering from an injury.

Real Madrid is scheduled to face Sevilla on 12/5 at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan stadium, an important game that could potentially determine Zidane’s future.

Real Madrid’s star midfielder Eden Hazard is out with a bruised ankle after exiting Tuesday’s Champions League group stage match against Paris Saint Germain. Hazard had to come off in the 68th minute and was replaced by out of favor winger Gareth Bale.

Santiago Siguero of Marca.com spoke to the club this morning and said Hazard has perimalleolar bruising in his injured ankle and will be out for almost ten days, but should be back to face F.C. Barcelona in El Clasico on December 18.

30 SPORTS FIGURES WHO DIED IN 2018 – TRIBUTE SLIDESHOW 

Hazard originally missed the first three games of the season for Madrid and hinted at being out of shape when he told French newspaper L’Equipe, “When I’m on holiday, I’m on Holiday.  This summer I went up to 80 kilos but managed to lose this in just over ten days.”

Despite criticism earlier this season he was having a productive day on the pitch before being subbed off.

Aside from his good showing against PSG, it has definitely been a disappointing start to his career at the club. In eight appearances Hazard has only scored one goal and assisted on another. Madrid and Head Coach Zinedine Zidane brought him there because he was one of the best attacking midfielders in the world scoring 21 goals in all competitions for Chelsea in last year’s campaign. Hazard joined Madrid last summer after playing seven years in the Barclays Premier League for London-based club, Chelsea F.C.  His 100 million euro transfer fee is the most expensive in club history. Madrid  are 9-1-3 with 28 points and are currently tied for first place in La Liga standings with Barcelona.  The club is going to need him if they want to win another domestic title.

According to Gareth Bale’s agent, Jonathan Barnett, Real Madrid are the ones to blame for Bale’s transfer to the Chinese Super League side Jiangsu Suning due to Madrid reportedly “changing their minds.”

ESPN FC reported on Sunday that Bale’s move to China became broken off at the last minute because Bale’s family is opposed to a move to China. However, according to Barnett, Madrid’s hierarchy is to blame for the deal falling through at the last minute.

Barnett says that Madrid gave Bale the green light to negotiate a move away from the Santiago Bernabeau, only to retract it at the last minute.

According to reports, Madrid President Florentino Perez decided that his club could not let a valuable player like Bale leave for nothing. After Jiangsu signed Brazilian defender Miranda and then Croatian forward Ivan Santini on Monday, Jiangsu found themselves out of spots for foreign additions on their roster.

IN MEMORIAM: SPORTS FIGURES WHO DIED IN 2019 TRIBUTE SLIDESHOW

This drama follows last week’s madness, when manager Zinedine Zidane decided to leave Bale off of Madrid’s pre-season squad for the Audi Cup, urging the Welsh international to leave Los Blancos. The relationship between Bale and Zidane, which has been extremely toxic, is one of the main reasons for Bale’s inevitable move.

“It’s quite simple, Zidane just doesn’t like Gareth. There is no relationship between the two of them, there has never been any kind of relationship with Zidane,” said Barnett this weekend about the strained relationship between his client and Zidane.

On Monday, Madrid reported that Bale was training on his own, away from his Los Blancos teammates.

Asked for an update on Bale’s situation after Friday’s 7-3 International Champions Cup loss to Atletico Madrid, Zidane replied: “At the moment it is the same, Bale is here with us, he played, and we will see what happens.”

In the interest of defusing an already tense situation, Real Madrid is reportedly willing to let Welsh international forward Gareth Bale leave to play in the Chinese Super League on a free transfer.

It is no secret that Bale and Real Madrid manager, Zinedine Zidane, have been at odds with one another for the vast majority of the time that Zidane has managed Los Blancos. On Sunday, Zidane said that it would be, “best for everyone” if Bale left the club soon.

Bale’s agent Jonathan Barnett responded to Zidane’s comments over the weekend by saying that Zidane is a disgrace.

SPORTS FIGURES WHO DIED IN 2019 – IN MEMORIAM SLIDESHOW 

Barnett also said, “If and when Gareth goes, it will be because it is in the best interest of Gareth and nothing to do with Zidane pushing.”

To resolve the conflict between Bale and Madrid, according to a club executive, Madrid is willing to tear up the final three years of Bale’s contract with them. A move to China is seen as a last resort for Bale and Madrid, as no European club has made an offer to sign Bale during the summer transfer window.

Jiangsu Suning and Beijing Guoan are the two Chinese Super League clubs who are interested in matching Bale’s current Real Madrid wages. Barnett would not comment on whether his player is open to a move to China or not.

According to ESPN FC, Bale reportedly does not want to play during the International Champions Cup (Real Madrid’s pre-season tournament) while his exit from Madrid is being negotiated. Zidane is apparently also tired of Bale’s behavior and lack of focus, especially during the pre-season thus far.

Will Bale end up in China? Or will a top European club finally pick him up? One can only hope that the relationship between the Welsh star and his head coach improves.

Real Madrid’s new signing of Eder Militao was unveiled earlier on Wednesday, a 21-year-old Brazilian center back from FC Porto, the top Portuguese club in their respective league. A press conference was held for the new signing, where he displayed his excitement to join the team. He was asked about Neymar Jr.’s current situation of a possible transfer to his former club, FC Barcelona, where Militao loosened his tie and began to say he felt as if he was going to faint, concluding the press conference abruptly.

30 SPORTS FIGURES WHO DIED IN 2018 – TRIBUTE SLIDESHOW 

Before closing the press conference with a strange occurrence, he said, “I am very happy to be joining the best club in the world. Since I was a kid I wanted to play for Madrid, and with the help of my father, my family, my agents, I have reached this point. I will give everything on the pitch and hope to make history here,” Militao said, according to Metro.

Militao is manager Zinedine Zidane’s fifth major signing this summer for the first team. Militao is joining the likes of new signings Eden Hazard, formerly of Chelsea, Luka Jovic from Benfica, 18-year-old Brazilian Rodrygo and Olympique Lyon fullback Ferland Mendy.

“Winning is part of this club’s DNA and nobody surrenders here. Today is an important day for us as we welcome one of the great defenders in world football,” Real Madrid president Florentino Perez said at the press conference with Militao at his side, according to Marca. “He arrives at just 21, he’s adapted quickly to European football and for five months he was part of the best defensive setup in Portuguese football with Porto. His courage and attitude will help him to succeed, as will the millions of fans we have around the world.”

Real Madrid finished third last season in the Spanish league, eight points behind second place Atletico Madrid, and 21 points behind the champions Barcelona.