UEFA Champions League 2017/18: Real Madrid 3-0 APOEL, 5 Talking Points

#5 La decimotercera depends on Zidane's team-talks

Juventus v Real Madrid - UEFA Champions League Final

Zinedine Zidane's reputation as a manager continues to grow, and for regular watchers of Madrid, tonight was the perfect encapsulation. Madrid came into the game with the Spanish press sniffing a potential crisis, as two consecutive draws handed Barcelona an advantage in La Liga.

APOEL did not make it easy as Madrid struggled to get out of first gear in the first half. The players could very well have gone into the break with the scores level had the Cypriots been a bit more efficient in the box.

As soon as the second half began though, Madrid looked a completely different animal, taking the game to the visitors and forcing plenty of errors in their own half. Zidane's ability to inspire a better performance from his charges in the second 45 proved crucial in previous Champions League triumphs (see: Bayern Munich) and if a historic La decimotercera is to become a reality, Zidane will need to pull off his magic yet again.