Sunday 3 April 2016 12:31, UK
Thierry Henry thinks Zinedine Zidane enhanced his managerial credentials by the way he set Real Madrid up in their 2-1 victory over Barcelona on Saturday evening.
Having lost to their arch rivals 4-0 at the Bernabeu earlier in the season, Real looked to be heading for another defeat after Gerard Pique scored early in the second half.
But Real responded positively, equalising with a bicycle kick from Karim Benzema and then grabbing a late winner through Cristiano Ronaldo after Sergio Ramos was sent off.
"I like the way Zidane set up the team," said former Barcelona forward Henry on Sky Sports. "They were not scared, they put pressure on when they needed to and kept their composure at 1-0 down.
"They were trying to play from the back under pressure and they looked like a team with the right balance. Zidane understood he had to take care of the midfield, especially against Barcelona. People wanted to know if tactically he could do something against Barcelona and he did."
The defeat ends Barcelona's 39-game unbeaten run and sees their lead at the top of La Liga cut to six points.
However, with seven games of the season remaining, Henry does not believe second-placed Atletico Madrid or rivals Real, who are seven points behind, can chase down Barca.
"You never know, but I don't think Barcelona will let the league go away," he said. "The key game is against Atletico [in the Champions League quarter-finals on Tuesday], you never know what can happen and that could have an effect on the league, but I think they will be OK."
Former Barcelona and Real Madrid midfielder Michael Laudrup also does not think Luis Enrique's side will let their lead slip, but is looking forward to seeing how they react to the defeat, which is their first since October.
"Knowing Barcelona and the Catalans there will be a little doubt," he said. "Just one loss can create doubts, we will see in the coming week. I still think the league is done, but I want to see the impact in the coming games.
"Real deserved the win. In the second half they were the better team, even going down 1-0, then down to 10 men. Real come out with a lot of confidence while Barcelona have to play Atletico next."
