Zidane hails 'important result' for Real
Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane hailed an "important
result" and performance after his team's much-needed 4-1 La Liga win at
Valencia on Saturday afternoon, pointing out especially the
"personality" the team had shown after recent setbacks.
Two
coolly converted first-half Cristiano Ronaldo penalties seemed to have set up
Madrid for a comfortable afternoon, but Valencia came back through Santi Mina's
header at a corner and had chances to equalise, before late goals from Marcelo
and Toni Kroos ensured the three points for Zidane's side.
Although
Madrid remain in fourth spot in La Liga, two points behind Valencia and well
adrift of runaway leaders Barcelona, a first away win since late November will
ease the pressure on Zidane ahead of the Champions League last-16 first leg at
home to Paris Saint-Germain on Feb. 14.
And the
Los Blancos coach told the post game news conference that Madrid had suffered
at times but come through strongly for a deserved victory.
"I
am very happy as it is an important result, not just the result, but we played
very well," Zidane said. "We had a lot of possession in the first
half and when I see my players play like that I am happy.
"This
is a difficult stadium, a team which has done fantastic in this league, were
ahead of us in the table. I am very happy with how [my players] did physically,
and also tactically.
"In
the second half we suffered for a bit, which is normal, and Keylor [Navas]
saved us. We must admit that. But within the game as a whole we deserved the
victory. Winning like this, 4-1 here, is nothing easy, we must congratulate the
players."
The
former galactico said his side had shown a lot of personality by putting in
such a performance following their embarrassing midweek Copa del Rey exit to
neighbours Leganes.
"The
good thing in football is that when something bad happens you have another game
three days later," Zidane said. "Today was a big game, and we played
with a lot of personality, it was important to show that we will be in there
fighting.
"There
is still a long way to go in La liga, we will do as well as possible. Then on
the 14th we have a Champions League game."
Madrid's
famous BBC strikeforce started together for the first time in 280 days,
although both Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema were withdrawn before the end, with
the Frenchman reacting angrily as he took his place on the bench.
"All
players get angry when they are taken off, but that's not important,"
Zidane said. "The result is what counts in the end and Karim is happy, as
we all are. Substitutions are to change the dynamic of the game.”
"Lucas
[Vazquez] worked very hard, Marco [Asensio] was involved in Marcelo's goal and
Mateo [Kovacic] with a one-two for Toni's. Each one adds their grain of sand.
We are all here to bring something to the team. And the three changes worked
well for that."
Speaking
on BeIN Sports after the final whistle Navas said the squad were aware they had
not been always at their best recently, but they would keep fighting all the
way to the end in La Liga.
"We
have played some good games, but it is no secret we've played badly at times,
we've been aware," the Costa Rica international said. "We need to be
more consistent, but games like this will strengthen us. Valencia are a great
opponent, they were at home, with their fans' support, so they were going to
make chances.
"We
know that things are very difficult in La Liga, but we will give everything,
and try to finish as high as possible."
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