McManaman on Zidane's volley: An average person would've controlled it
If not the finest, it's certainly one of the best goals in Champions League finals ever. In the 2002 edition, Zinedine Zidane's volley against Bayer Leverkusen is about as famous as a goal gets.
The French icon is equated with Europe's prestigious tournament after winning it three times as a head coach, but it is that ravishing connection with his left foot at Hampden that remains in the people's memories.
Steve McManaman was one of the few people who had a front-row seat to that particular live performance.
“I think the average person would have controlled it,” McManaman recalls.
In a conversation with
Betway, the former Liverpool star says he wasn't completely surprised by how things turned out with the legendary Frenchman. He claims to have a good understanding of his teammates.
“You know whether they can volley the ball or whether they would rather bring it down and try and take people on. He was one that could strike it from a great height because he had done it many times before.”
“He was ever so graceful Zizou and it’s not surprising that it went flying in the net.”
McManaman's remarks allude to
Real Madrid's colossal talent pool. What he thought was just a common choice for what to do with a dropped ball was mind-blowing to the audience.
That was McManaman's second
Champions Leaguetriumph as he witnessed Real Madrid's development under Florentino Perez. A successful European football powerhouse was definitively transformed into the 'Galacticos' period, and with it, undoubtedly the world's most decorated football club.
In many aspects, that team bears significant resemblances to Zidane's managerial versions of Real Madrid. McManaman also discusses the environment in the dressing room during his time in Madrid, praising Fernando Hierro's leadership abilities.
In that regard, Hierro resembles Sergio Ramos' outstanding character, while Gareth Bale's magnificent finish in the 2018 Champions League final against Liverpool has its own famous goal.
More than that, Zidane's ability to get the best out of his players while keeping the club afloat dates back to the days of then-manager Vicente del Bosque in 2002. Right down to the struggles that followed del Bosque's departure, as well as those that followed Zidane's first departure as manager.
McManaman's original assessment that most would have controlled the dropping ball highlights one of Zidane's most defining characteristics: he handles things in a completely different way than the majority of footballers.
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