Real Madrid Stars Allegedly Confronted Zinedine Zidane After Wolfsburg Criticism

Several of Real Madrid's senior players have allegedly spoken to manager Zinedine Zidane to voice their displeasure at his criticism of the team in the wake of the UEFA Champions League quarter-final first-leg defeat to Wolfsburg. 

According to El Pais (h/t Sport) "the team did not like being criticised by Zidane, who accused them of lacking intensity in the first clash." As a result "the captains have spoken to the coach to demand answers," as well as club president Florentino Perez. Sergio Ramos is Los Blancos captain and Marcelo is the vice-captain, per Goal's Miles Chambers.

The players argued they were not solely responsible for the 2-0 defeat, and the Frenchman did "acknowledge having done wrong." However, while the conversation did help him avoid a "mutiny," the "lack of confidence between players and staff is total."

Wolfsburg stunned Los Blancos at the Volkswagen Arena and netted both goals in seven first-half minutes as Ricardo Rodriguez struck from the penalty spot and Max Arnold doubled their tally soon after.

Football journalist Dermot Corrigan and writer Andrew Gaffney were critical of their lacklustre showing:

Per Corrigan, Zidane was disappointed with the performance but did take personal responsibility for the defeat:

If the players were angry with the manager, they were able to put it aside as they handily dismissed Eibar 4-0 at the Bernabeu in their next match:

However, Real blowing away lesser sides is par for the course even amid a mixed campaign such as this one, and there is little Zidane could have taken from the match, as Corrigan noted:

The true test will be their response in Tuesday's second leg against Wolfsburg as they bid to overturn the 2-0 deficit on home soil.

The Champions League is Los Merengues' only realistic hope of winning a trophy this season as they're unlikely to overhaul Barcelona or Atletico Madrid in La Liga.

Further, after being handed—on paper, at least—a much easier tie than many of their biggest rivals, exiting at this stage would be disastrous for Real.

With the exception of El Clasico at the Camp Nou on April 2, Madrid have largely failed to impress in their biggest matches this season.

Tuesday's match will be the biggest test of Zidane's fledgling career at the Bernabeu and made all the more difficult by Real's failure to score an away goal—if Wolfsburg find the net, Los Blancos must score at least four goals.

Real are certainly capable of that, particularly at home, but the Bundesliga team showed their defensive strength in the first leg, so it's possible another miserable night awaits the club and further rifts could emerge.