Zinedine Zidane was clever to leave Real Madrid at the same time as Cristiano Ronaldo, Ruud Gullit has said following Los Blancos’ Champions League last-16 exit to Ajax. The Portuguese departed for Juventus at the end of last season following a third consecutive Champions League title. Real suffered a shock 4-1 defeat at Santiago Bernabeu to give the Eredivisie side a 5-3 aggregate victory after Santiago Solari’s side had taken a 2-1 lead into the second leg. Solari’s job is now under extreme scrutiny following three defeats in seven days. The former Castilla boss only replaced Julen Lopitagui four months ago, who himself only took up the position last summer following Zidane’s departure.
And Gullit believes Zidane’s timing was impeccable: “Zidane was clever enough to get out of there on time when they lost Ronaldo,” he said while appearing as a pundit on beIN
“You either reinforce your defensive block, or you create and you allow one of them to express
The former Chelsea boss continued: “It was not a surprise. Because seeing Madrid lately, seeing the first match they [Ajax] played at home – and they didn’t deserve to lose – I saw opportunities, especially in Madrid. “Then you see the game Barcelona at Madrid, played them [Real] off the park as well. You see the midfield and you think to yourself, ‘Oh my God. That is exactly the team they want to face!’ And the worst part is this has been the easiest game of the season. That is even worse. Against Madrid! Not even in their home competition do they have easy games like this.”