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| -zidane |
| -pictures |
| -playmaking |
Apart from his technical mastery, Zidane is extremely creative on the pitch. He is a true playmaker and initiates cunning combinations by improvisation and ingenuity.
Playmaking: Zinedine Zidane
| Piercing the Defensive Line |
 This play comes from the 2001/2002 Champions League campaign, in a match between Real Madrid and Bayern Munich. Zidane has the ball on the edge of the 18-yard box. He is pressured by two Bayern defenders, more immdediately by the one on the right. |
 At this moment, Zidane is double-teamed. The French playmaker realizes he has to find open space and turns 180 degrees with the ball. |
 After his turn, Zidane sees a teammate making a direct run through the center of enemy defense. Zizou dribbles to the left, dragging along the right defender, who is pressuring him. |
 Notice that by moving laterally, Zidane has pulled apart the two defenders pressuring him. Between them, a gap has opened where a potential pass can be made. Another of Real's forwards (the white jersey on the right) realizes that the teammate making a direct run is headed to his spot. The stationary forward decides to pull back and free up space for the runner. |
 Zidane serves the ball behind the defensive line, passing it between the two defenders who were initially double-teaming him. Unfortunately, this play did not result in a goal, but it is a good example of the mature team movement by Real Madrid, eventual winners of the 2002 UEFA Champions League. |
 :: Lateral movement opens passing angles as opposed to running straight at the enemy goal :: When in control of the ball, move away from pressuring enemies unless you want to take them on :: Look for passing options into an area where a teammate has just retrieved from |