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Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane equals club’s longest ever unbeaten run with 2-2 draw against Dortmund

Champions League holders didn't get the result they wanted at the Bernabeu, but they did make another piece of history

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BORUSSIA DORTMUND pipped Real Madrid to win their Champions League group with a 2-2 draw at the Bernabeu, but it was the Galacticos who made history.

In his 50th games as manager, Zinedine Zidane's side made it 34 games without defeat, equalling the club's longest ever unbeaten run.

 Real Madrid failed to beat Borussia Dortmund, but not losing meant they equalled a record
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Real Madrid failed to beat Borussia Dortmund, but not losing meant they equalled a recordCredit: Getty Images

The previous record was set by Leo Beenhakker in the 1988-89 season, but even the Dutchman's side never won a European title.

One of the club's greatest ever players, the Frenchman is fast becoming one of the club's greatest ever managers.

Zidane took over a team who had just been thumped 4-0 at home to Barcelona under Rafa Benitez and his only loss came in last season's Madrid derby when he lost 1-0 at home to Atletico.

But he soon got revenge on Diego Simeone's side by triumphing in last season's Champions League final at the San Siro.

All this has been achieved with Real Madrid's trigger-happy president Florentino Perez breathing down his neck.

Before Zidane won the Champions League, reports were rife that Perez wanted to replace him with a big name, potentially even a returning Jose Mourinho, at the end of last season.

Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos couldn't praise boss Zidane highly enough.

Ramos, who scored a last gasp equaliser in El Clasico at the weekend, said: “Zidane has this kind of magic that shone when he was a player and now as a coach.

“Since he arrived the ambience changed for the better.

 Zidane has made history with Real Madrid
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Zidane has made history with Real MadridCredit: EPA
 Sergio Ramos is delighted with his manager's impact
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Sergio Ramos is delighted with his manager's impactCredit: Getty Images
 The team will complete their longest ever unbeaten run if they avoid defeat against Deportivo on Saturday
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The team will complete their longest ever unbeaten run if they avoid defeat against Deportivo on SaturdayCredit: Getty Images

“It’s good and positive now which helps the team dynamic. There is harmony and empathy, different to what we had before. The merit goes to Zizou’s work.

“We’re all proud he is the leader of this ship and of his work, tactical and physical.”

Nevertheless Real Madrid made the job of retaining their Champions League title slightly harder by failing to beat Dortmund.


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However shock results elsewhere mean finishing second in their group isn't as damaging as it might have been.

The Galacticos could face Arsenal, Napoli, Monaco, Leicester or Juventus in the last 16.

But they have avoided PSG, Benfica, Manchester City, Bayern Munich, Bayer Leverkusen and Porto.

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