Real struggle for Zizou to lift uninspired team
MADRID • Zinedine Zidane urged his Real Madrid side to "give a little more" as Karim Benzema's goal was enough only for a 1-1 LaLiga underwhelming draw at Leganes.
Real have 61 points, 13 points adrift of leaders Barcelona, with Zidane's second reign as coach now delivering three wins, one defeat and a draw. They are four points behind Atletico Madrid (65) and finishing second, and above their city rivals, appears unlikely.
"It looks like we do not have much confidence," Zidane said. "We can play better, we must play better. The first half was not so good, the second a bit better.
"Even if this might have been a bad season, we must all give a bit more."
He was asked last month about the humiliation of playing on a Monday night, the time typically reserved for LaLiga's sides not involved in European competitions and so unpopular that it will be abolished next season.
Most of the Frenchman's press conferences have so far been dominated by questions about his players' futures and on this evidence, few will be feeling secure.
Benzema has been, by a distance, Real's most consistent player this season and he showed again why Zidane has already said the striker will stay.
Leganes might even have won it after Jonathan Silva gave them the lead shortly before half-time and while Benzema scored his 26th goal of the season, Real never looked like finding a winner.
Gareth Bale, meanwhile, was benched for the second time in three matches, with his prospects looking evermore bleak.
"It's a really tricky season, it's hard to explain and we all feel sad," said goalkeeper Keylor Navas. "But in this club there's always pressure and that cannot be an excuse."
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, REUTERS
Hungry Wolves beat 10-man Manchester United 2-1. 2 Min Read. Soccer Football - Premier League - Wolverhampton Wanderers v Manchester United - Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton, Britain - April 2
Football: Hungry Wolves beat 10-man Manchester United 2-1
More than just Ronaldo! Portugal could be ready to dominate after claiming first-ever Nations League. The Valencia man had swapped passes with Bernardo Silva to get into the position, with the
Portugal fail to show they are more than just Ronaldo - Egypt
ABU DHABI (AFP) - Yuya Osako netted a quickfire double as former champions Japan survived a scare to beat Turkmenistan 3-2 in their Asian Cup opener on Wednesday (Jan 9). The Blue Samurai reached
Osako double sparks 3-2 Japan win at Asian Cup - Khaleej Times
Tunisian club win African title after final abandoned over VAR out the Video assistant referee (VAR) system did not work and the match was interrupted during the 2nd leg of CAF champion league
Tunisian club win African title after final abandoned over VAR
Palace rout Leicester to step up pressure on Puel | Pictures
Portugal coach says Ronaldo can stay at the top for several years there indeed seems no reason why he cannot keep going for several years, especially as he has already shown he can adapt his
Cristiano Ronaldo can stay at the top for several years, says
Sterling, who has 19 goals for City in all competitions this season, was also supported by England team mate Danny Rose. France midfielder Paul Pogba believes England's Raheem Sterling is sometimes treated differently by the British media because he is black and does not get the recognition he deserves for his achievements.
Man City's Sterling treated differently by British media
Hamilton foiled again in opener. Lewis Hamilton, second in Melbourne for the fourth straight year, spraying champagne on winner and Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas. The Briton's frustrating run
Hamilton foiled again in opener - theworldnews.net
Griezmann on target again as Atletico edge closer to Barca
Tributes left outside Cardiff City Stadium for Emiliano Sala, January 23, 2019. UK rescuers end search for missing plane carrying soccer player Sala. Soccer Football - Cardiff City
Football: Wayne Rooney bags first MLS hat-trick in D.C. romp
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
0 comments:
Post a Comment