Real Madrid third trophy for under the Zidane era

After the Champions League and the Supercup of Europe, the World Cup of clubs: Real Madrid is aiming this Sunday (11h30) in Yokohama (Japan) a third title under the era Zinédine Zidane.

And three trophies for Zinédine Zidane to head the Real Madrid? Already winners of the Champions League and Supercup of Europe, the Merengues could win a third title this year if they beat Kashima Antlers of Japan in the final of the World Championships on Sunday (11.30).

Author of a course without fault since his appointment to the position of coach last January, “Zizou” knows that his players will do the maximum to win. “It is not difficult to motivate them, because there is a trophy at the end,” said the former number 10 of the Blues.

Record of invincibility
Not only did the French technician help the Real to conquer the eleventh C1 in his history, but he also led the “White House” to a record (ongoing) series of 36 unbeaten matches in all competitions.

The Madrid players are now firmly in the lead of the Spanish Championship with six points ahead of FC Barcelona’s eternal rival and have qualified for the 8th round of the Champions League (against the Italians of Naples on 15 February and 7 March).

At the World Cup of clubs in Japan, the Madrid players entered the semi-finals. And they won 2-0 against the Mexicans of America thanks to goals of Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo, the Portuguese thus dignifying his 4th Golden Ball.

Zidane wary of Kashima
In the final, they should not have too many difficulties against the surprising Japanese, a first for a Japanese club at this stage of the competition.

Zidane however warned his men, as Kashima “will evolve as at home. They will have the favors of the public, “warned the French technician.

Real Madrid has already won the World Cup in 2014, having won three times in the Intercontinental Cup (1960, 1998 and 2002), the ancestor of the current competition.

Probable teams

Real Madrid: Navas – Carvajal Ramos (or Nacho), Pepe (or Varane), Marcelo – Casemiro, Kroos, Modric – Lucas Vázquez, Benzema, Cristiano Ronaldo
Coach: Zinedine Zidane (FRA)

Kashima Antlers: Sogahata – Shoji Yamamoto, Nishi Ueda – Ogasawara (or Nagaki) Shibasaki, Nakamura, Endo – Doi, Akasaki
Coach: Masatada Ishii (JPN)