Spanish press lay into Real Madrid and Zinedine Zidane after Shakhtar Donetsk defeat

‘Total crisis!’ Real Madrid’s sorry defeat to Shakhtar Donetsk branded ‘disastrous’ by Spanish press with Zinedine Zidane’s ‘project showing symptoms of agony’… but boss insists he WON’T quit

  • Real Madrid were stunned by Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League
  • Zinedine Zidane insisted he won’t quit despite another shock loss to Ukrainians
  • But the verdict of the Spanish newspapers was brutal on Wednesday morning
  • Sport described Real as being in ‘total crisis’ after the ‘disastrous’ result
  • They report that Zidane could be sacked as his second spell turns sour 

Real Madrid’s shock Champions League defeat by Shakhtar Donetsk has plunged them into ‘total crisis’, according to the Spanish press, as manager Zinedine Zidane insisted he won’t quit.

The 13-time European champions lost 2-0 in Ukraine to drop to third in Group B and must now beat Borussia Monchengladbach next week to make absolutely sure of progress to the last-16.

Shakhtar, who moved above Real into second in the group, have now beaten Zidane’s side home and away.

Zinedine Zidane is under severe pressure after Real Madrid were beaten by Shakhtar Donetsk for the second time in their Champions League group

Zinedine Zidane is under severe pressure after Real Madrid were beaten by Shakhtar Donetsk for the second time in their Champions League group

'Total Crisis' was the headline on Wednesday's edition of Sport as the Spanish press reflected on a result that leaves Real's Champions League hopes hanging in the balance

‘Total Crisis’ was the headline on Wednesday’s edition of Sport as the Spanish press reflected on a result that leaves Real’s Champions League hopes hanging in the balance

'From bad to worse' was the headline on Mundo Deportivo along with a dejected Luka Modric

‘From bad to worse’ was the headline on Mundo Deportivo along with a dejected Luka Modric

And the verdict in Wednesday’s newspapers was brutal, with Sport describing the defeat as ‘disastrous’ and the situation as a ‘total crisis’.

They added that ‘Zidane’s project is showing symptoms of agony’ and the hierarchy at the Bernabeu are considering dismissing him despite the French manager’s insistence he won’t go.

‘From bad to worse’ was the headline on the front of Mundo Deportivo, who featured a picture of a floored Luka Modric during the defeat.

AS showed Zidane, wearing a thick coat and woolly hat in the chill of Kiev, and the headline ‘borderline situation’ to reflect Real’s chances going down to the wire next week.

The front of Marca featured a sea of dejected Real players and the Spanish idiom ‘Quien te ha visto y quien te ve…’ which translates into English as ‘wow, how you’ve changed, you look totally different.’

AS pictured Zidane on their front cover and reflected on a 'borderline situation' in the group

AS pictured Zidane on their front cover and reflected on a ‘borderline situation’ in the group

'Wow, how you've changed...' was the headline on Marca's cover alongside dejected players

‘Wow, how you’ve changed…’ was the headline on Marca’s cover alongside dejected players

There is certainly a marked contrast this season to the Real team that won La Liga back in July.

Zidane won three consecutive European Cups during his first spell at the club but they now face the humiliating prospect of playing Europa League football after Christmas unless they win against Gladbach next week.

Madrid could still finish top if they win and Inter beat Shakhtar, but they could also finish bottom if they lose and Inter win.

Shakhtar Donetsk beat Real Madrid to leave the visitors' fate hanging in the balance

Shakhtar Donetsk beat Real Madrid to leave the visitors’ fate hanging in the balance

The result now means Madrid are third in the Group B table ahead of the final matchday

The result now means Madrid are third in the Group B table ahead of the final matchday

Zinedine Zidane's side have never failed to qualify for a Champions League round of 16

Zinedine Zidane’s side have never failed to qualify for a Champions League round of 16

Real are third in Group B ahead of the final round of fixtures next week. A win over Borussia Monchengladbach will see them into the last-16 but anything less could see them eliminated into the Europa League

Real are third in Group B ahead of the final round of fixtures next week. A win over Borussia Monchengladbach will see them into the last-16 but anything less could see them eliminated into the Europa League 

The Germans lost 3-2 to Inter Milan later on Tuesday to at least keep Real’s fate in their own hands but a drastic improvement will be needed.

Zidane said after the loss: ‘I feel strong and I am going to keep giving everything as always’

‘I am not going to resign. This is a difficult moment but we have to show our pride and our character.’

Real have already lost five matches this season, which certainly constitutes a crisis by their lofty standards. 

As well as the home and away defeats to Shakhtar, they have been beaten by Cadiz, Valencia and Alaves in La Liga, where they currently sit in fourth place, some seven points adrift of leaders Real Sociedad.

source: dailymail.co.uk