Zinedine Zidane hailed a “phenomenal” performance by Miguel Gutierrez after the Leeds United target shone during Real Madrid’s 4-1 La Liga thrashing of Granada, in quotes reported by Managing Madrid.
With Los Blancos needing a win to keep the title race alive, the pressure was on for the 19-year-old left-back.
The absence of Marcelo and Ferland Mendy meant Gutierrez was thrown in at the deep end last night, handed a first La Liga start at the home of king-makers Granada, a side that defeated Barcelona at Camp Nou only a week ago.
But if Zidane was concerned over whether his highly rated teenager could step up to the plate, he needn’t have worried.
“Miguel played because we didn’t have Ferland Mendy or Marcelo and I think he was phenomenal,” the three-time Champions League winner said after a 4-1 win that keeps Real within touching distance of league leaders Atletico.
“I’m happy for him. He is a Real Madrid player.”
In April, TEAMtalk reported Leeds United had identified Gutierrez as a potential remedy to Marcelo Bielsa’s left-back headache.
Last year, Real Madrid sold another exciting young left-back in the shape of Sergio Reguilon, of course, and should David Alaba arrive from Bayern Munich there’s a chance the Spain U19 international will be allowed to leave.
At the Nuevo los Carmenes, however, Gutierrez offered a timely reminder why Jose Mourinho was so determined to bring him to Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur, not to mention why Real Madrid may have a top-level talent on their hands.
Gutierrez stood out at both ends of the pitch and even created Luka Modric’s opener with a perfectly weighted through ball.
“Phenomenal” indeed.
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