1.   A Madrid sports daily reported Tuesday that Real is vying for Zinedine Zidane, the French midfield maestro.

2.   Midfield maestro Zinedine Zidane may be most skilled player in the world.

3.   The French mounted a robust offense, with two first-half goals from Zinedine Zidane, a midfield maestro known mainly for his exquisite passing.

4.   The midfield maestro has few excuses for his predicament.

5.   Former French midfield maestro Platini meanwhile told French radio he himself opposed moves to increase goal size.

6.   In Spain, Barcelona have to make do without the services of midfield maestro Gheorghe Hagi, on international duty against France on Saturday.

7.   But ageing midfield maestro Paul Gascoigne should be available for the Merseysiders.

8.   But the French international midfield maestro shrugged off the man-of-the-match plaudits after helping Real secure their record ninth victory in the competition.

9.   Struggling Manchester City said Friday they are confident of linking their midfield maestro Georgi Kinkladze with his Georgian compatriot Mikhail Kavelashvili.