There was a Zidane in the technical area and another one on the pitch for Real Madrid in Ohio on Wednesday evening as father Zinedine gave son Enzo his first minutes of senior football in the famous white shirt.
Enzo Zidane came on at half time in the 3-1 defeat to Paris Saint Germain as his dad made big half time changes having seen his first team go 3-0 down in the first period.
Enzo came on in midfield to replace Lucas Vazquez at the break as Zidane changed his entire team in the International Champions Cup friendly.
‘We were off the pace but we have only had 10 days training. We showed more aggression in the second half,’ said the Real Madrid manager of the defeat dealt him by Unai Emery, who after years of coaching Europa League teams, is used to getting his side fighting fit from the first kick.
In addition to the admission that things picked up with his son on the pitch he singled out the youngsters after the game saying: ‘We have to use the youth system because when they get the chance they show how good they are. We have to take it very slowly with them but this was a good experience.’
Enzo who was tidy in possession but unable to help Real claw back the deficit was one of four half-time debutants and joined Martin Odegaard in the second string side. The Norweigan is hoping to go out on loan this season although reports in Germany suggest his estimated £1million salary has put off several Bundesliga clubs.
Neither Odegaard nor Enzo was the second half star as Marcos Asensio showed why he will be first in the queue this season when Zizou turns to youth this season. The Spain under-21 international is back from last season’s loan spell at Espanyol and hit the post with Madrid’s best second half chance.
Although he was not the star performer it was still a milestone for Enzo and another step towards the Zidane dynasty ruling on and off the pitch at the Bernabeu.
Spain Under-19 international Enzo, named after Uruguayan playmaker Enzo Francescoli, plays as a No 10 for the club’s B-team in straight competition with young Galatico Odegaard.
Below him Luca is a promising keeper and Theo and Elyaz are also in the club’s youth system and both play in midfield. Oldest Enzo is 21 and youngest Elyaz is 11 in December so it might be a while before the clan can all play in the same team.
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