Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane defiant despite clasico defeat

Goals from Luis Suarez, Lionel Messi and Aleix Vidal leave Real 14 points behind in the title race

Gonzalo Caada
Saturday 23 December 2017 17:45 GMT
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Zidane watched his side get humbled at the Bernabeu
Zidane watched his side get humbled at the Bernabeu (AFP)

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Zinedine Zidane admitted that the defeat against Barcelona is “really difficult” but assured that “there is no need to change anything”.

However, the French manager recognized that he will probably receive a lot of criticism after being humiliated by their bitter rivals in the clasico.

After watching goals from Luis Suarez, Lionel Messi and Aleix Vidal leave his side 14 points behind in the title race a defiant Zidane said that they “are not going to surrender”.

“Now with have to go in vacation, do not think about the match, enjoy our families and then come. This has not already finished," he added.

Although the final result shows a great dominance by Barcelona, the first half was even and Real had chances to get ahead.

“We started well, the first half was even and the defeat really hurt us. It is very harsh for us, but it is football”, explained Zidane.

One surprise was the inclusion of Mateo Kovacic in the line-up, something that Zidane justified afterwards.

“I have to choose and that is all. With Kovacic it was different. He had to look Messi out and he did it well. That is what we decided before the match”, he added.

In spite of the critics, Zidane insists that he is “not going to change, whatever happens”.

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