Zinedine Zidane is one of those coaches who will always stand up for all the players he manages at Real Madrid. It doesn't matter if one of them fails in front of the goal, if they don't perform as the fans expect, if they don't justify their minutes of play. Like that father who takes care of his own, the French coach will always be there as a protective shield. He's like Mr. Miyagi taking care of Daniel Larusso from his opponents' low blows.
"I see him great, very clear." Those are the words the coach of Real Madrid has used to refer to Lucas Vázquez, the most criticized player in this season's start in Spain. Obviously, the Frenchman doesn't want his players to feel uneasy and there's nothing better than publicly supporting them.
The coach who has won three consecutive Champions League titles knows that at any moment, the performance of one of his stars can be under scrutiny. And Lucas is experiencing this situation. He suffers like no one else because things aren't going well for him.
Lucas Vázquez is a Real Madrid youth player. He returned in 2015 from Espanyol. (Getty)
Lucas targeted for his performance
The fans criticize him and even the journalists, with the most audacity, tell him to his face how badly he's playing. "What's wrong with you, Lucas? Can't you get things right?", they asked the Real Madrid midfielder last Wednesday after the victory against Osasuna in LaLiga.
Like a cornered deer in front of a hungry carnivorous animal, Lucas couldn't find a way to escape from such an uncomfortable interview. "I'm happy, to play, enjoy, and do what I love," said the Real Madrid midfielder before fleeing to the dressing room.
Lucas will have the opportunity to redeem himself in front of the Real Madrid fans this Saturday in the derby against Atletico at the Wanda Metropolitano. The midfielder should be included in Zidane's call-up list, that coach who never stops trusting in his talent and demonstrates it publicly.
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