Enrique: No bad Zidane memories

Barcelona’s Luis Enrique denies any issue with new Real Madrid Coach Zinedine Zidane despite an image surfacing of the pair coming to blows in El Clasico.

Enrique was inevitably asked about goings-on at Real Madrid, where Rafa Benitez has been sacked and Zinedine Zidane appointed in his place, during a Press conference for Wednesday’s Copa del Rey game with Espanyol.

“I’m not surprised because it’s an issue that’s common in modern football. The chain always breaks and the Coach is the weakest link. Everyone is removed eventually,” he lamented, before being asked about an image that surfaced from his playing days of a flare-up with Zizou.

“I have no opinion on Zidane as a Coach. I haven’t had time to consider it. I’ve no bad memories of anyone I’ve played against.

“Every player defends their team, and my memory isn’t positive or negative. I haven’t seen the picture and I don’t remember any friction with Zidane. I’m sure everyone defended their team. I respect him as a colleague.”

Enrique was asked what it can be like for a former player to take over the responsibilities of a team he represented, but largely dismissed it as an issue.

“It has the advantage that you know the locker room, but that advantage has limited credit, then you judge other things and the concepts are different from player to Coach,” he explained.

“There are decisions that would be individual before but are collective now. It means nothing.”

Tags Luis Enrique Zinedine Zidane
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