Espanyol

Zinedine Zidane is one victory away from making history at Real Madrid

Published Nov. 15, 2016 2:43 p.m. ET

Aaron West

Zinedine Zidane is settling into life as a manager just fine. The legendary Frenchman took the reins at Real Madrid in January, replacing the hapless Rafa Benitez, and hasn't looked back since. Madrid not only won the Champions League in May with Zidane, they've also now won their last 14 La Liga matches in a row, one shy of the club's all-time record.

Under Zidane's guidance, the Merengues won their final 12 league matches of last season, pushing Barcelona for the La Liga title to the very end. That included a victory in Zidane's first El Clasico, becoming the first Real coach since Bernd Schuster in 2007 to win the rivalry match on his first attempt.

Madrid opened his season with two wins, despite missing Cristiano Ronaldo for their opening fixtures. A 15th straight La Liga victory at home against Osasuna next weekend would put Zidane even with the legendary Miguel Muñoz, who guided Real to 15 straight wins in 1960-61. A demigod in Madrid, Muñoz won the European Cup three times in a row as a player, retired, and then went on to win the trophy twice in a row as a coach, just a year after hanging up his boots. He also won the league title a stunning nine times in ten seasons at the helm. His record of 15 victories in a row is only bested by hated rivals Barcelona, and Zizou is aiming directly at both.

Should Madrid get by newly promoted and winless Osasuna, they then have Espanyol up next to equal Barcelona's record. Espanyol have conceded just the eight goals in their first two matches, so it's safe to say Madrid have a legitimate chance of matching Muñoz's tally, and then tying the league record held by Barcelona.

After that? It's a clash against Villarreal to own it outright. I wouldn't bet against Zizou or Real Madrid to bag that record. Especially since Ronaldo's return is imminent, as well.

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