Winning only part of Real’s ethos
Zinedine Zidane ran on to a ball that was played across his path after a sweeping Real move from Makelele, Solari and Figo had rent United's defence asunder.
Zidane had only to strike the ball to the net from a central position just 18 yards from goal, but in the one glorious and artistic movement he allowed the ball run under one foot and then steered it with the other for Portillo to convert.
Sadly for Portillo, the youngster drove the ball into the side-netting to waste as good a scoring chance as had been created throughout a match that produced an inordinate number of scoring chances.
The miss cost Real the match on the night but Zidane was unperturbed. His only concern was for his young colleague. So he ran to Portillo and comforted him with an arm around his neck. It was a gesture that spoke volumes for the spirit within the group and Zidane's sensitive nature. First he eschewed the glory of scoring a simple goal then was at pains to support a crestfallen youngster just finding his feet at this level.
Football at the highest level is a ferociously competitive activity, a contest that is enjoined on many levels the physical, the skilful and the psychological, to name but a few.
Real have been lauded for the level of skill within their team and within their game plan, and this is hardly surprising. There are few teams, at club or international level, who succeed in winning with such style and grace and play so entertainingly.
Inevitably one thinks of Brazil when embarking upon a search for legitimate comparisons. France, in 1998, also measured up as did the AC Milan team that included the three Dutchmen Rijkaard, Gullit and the magnificent Van Basten.
These were teams who could win with a smile on their faces. Their football was swift, accurate, deadly and hugely entertaining.They would not have won had they not been fiercely competitive, but their winning performances were orchestrated with the emphasis upon the skill factor.
MUCH has been made of Real's tendency to leak goals and, in truth, it is patently obvious this could cost them in a demanding competition such as the Champions' League.
They play a dangerous game but it is to their credit that Vicente Del Bosque is not prepared to compromise their attacking capabilities by including more defensive players. Zidane, Figo and Ronaldo are forward players. Their contribution to Real's defensive effort is negligible, hence the team's vulnerability.
They will not be thanked in Madrid if this should cost them a trophy or two but there is more to Real than their international superstars.
Just look at the products of their own academy.These are the youngsters who have spent their formative years learning the Real way. It is right that we should acknowledge the work they do in fostering the concept of the beautiful game as exemplified by goalkeeper Casillas, the elegant Guti, the enormously promising Portillo and the supreme goalscorer Raul.
These are players with the technical skill and the competitive edge to compare with any in the world. The manner in which they play the game is a compelling endorsement of the Real training programme and the work of their academy. The history, traditions and reputation of the club meant it was inevitable that such a uniquely talented player as Zidane would eventually be offered the opportunity to parade his skills at the Bernabeau.
The bonus is that as well as playing sublime football Zidane appears to be a thoroughly decent human being. When the fever of competition is at its most extreme he is not obsessed with winning at all costs. Just ask Portillo.
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