ZINEDINE ZIDANE CALLED for calm after Real Madrid’s shock loss at home to Real Betis, insisting there is nothing to be worried about amid the La Liga champions’ stuttering title defence.
Madrid’s woes at the Santiago Bernabeu continued on Wednesday, beaten 1-0 by Betis in the Spanish capital, despite the return of reigning Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo from a five-match domestic suspension.
Zidane’s men had drawn back-to-back La Liga matches in Madrid leading into the midweek clash and their winless streak on home soil in the league extended to a third game following Antonio Sanabria’s dramatic 94th-minute winner.
It is Madrid’s worst run at home in La Liga since Jose Mourinho’s tenure in April 2011 as the title holders slipped seven points adrift of rivals and leaders Barcelona, however, Zidane is refusing to panic.
“I do not think the situation is delicate,” Zidane told reporters post-match.
We have lost points, but there are also many matches left. All the work we have done is not going to be thrown in the trash because of three bad games at home.
“We have not been successful in the shots on goal. I am the coach of this team and what we need is calm, rest and to think about the next game.”
The surprise result also snapped Madrid’s record-equaling 73-match scoring streak, extending back to April 2016.
Today the ball did not want to go in. This is football. No need to review it again,” Zidane said.
“It has not been a great match, but it has not been a bad match either. Last season, we won games that maybe we did not deserve and now it’s the other way around. Tranquility.”
I do not think there are any reasons to be concerned. We had a good match in San Sebastian [against Real Sociedad]. Do not be worried,” he continued.
“What I always want to do is try to win. I’m not going to change. You can make different changes but the idea is always the same: go for the win and even more so at home.”
Asked about Ronaldo and his performance, Zidane said: “I don’t think I’ve had anxiety in either Cristiano or the team.
“Things have not gone well but I insist, you must have peace of mind, there’s a lot left.”
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I thought Eoin Murphy was incredible yesterday and was a clear man of the match, without him Kilkenny would not have been in the match near the end. Pundits seem to pick the winning team most of the time.
Eoin Murphy has to get an all star for that performance alone
There were many worthy winners from both games, Eoin Murphy produced the greatest display of goalkeeping I’ve ever seen. That said Tom Morrissey put in a huge performance for Limerick.
Podge has been immense for Clare this year, his work rate was incredible, he’s back to his best after a few tough years. Tony Kelly is also a notable mention.
Eoin Murphy was MOTM yesterday by a distance.
As a kilkenny supporter, I know we’re out of the championship, but Eoin has also done enough in Kilkenny’s seven cship games to ensure he gets an allstar award come years end.
@sean de paore: He was top class but losing quarter finalists don’t get any all stars. Rightly or wrongly, that’s just the way it is. Many years Kilkenny got 9 all stars after only playing two serious matches so it works both ways.
@Mike: national league winners often do though so he’s in with a shout. The new format changes things too.
@Mike: many a year Waterford got all-stars and hurlers of the year an won sweet F-all aswell
@Philip McLoughlin: Ah they got to the semi final in those years to be fair. I’d like to think the new format will deliver all stars to players who consistently excelled in their province but I wouldn’t hold my breath. The two finalists will still hoover up 11 or 12 with the semi finalists getting the last 3 or 4.
@Mike: Brian Lohan was All-star full back in 1996 based on Clare’s single championship outing that year against Limerick.
I know that’s a bit mad, but there is no better keeper out there than Eoin Murphy, he’s probably going to go down as the greatest.
Eoin Murphy was man of match by a mile best keeper since Damien fitzhenry I think.
@Declan Breen: I’d say better, this guy has everything, cat like reflexes, superb ball skills, but his long range free taking and ability to attack the ball and launch an attack is a massive bonus.