Zinedine Zidane asks for patience after Real Madrid stutter to unconvincing win

Sport360 staff 23:22 23/09/2017
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    Zinedine Zidane has called for patience as Real Madrid battle to climb out of an early-season slump.

    Real bounced back from their shock 1-0 home defeat to Real Betis by edging home 2-1 at Alaves, with Dani Ceballos firing a brace on his LaLiga debut for the club.

    Madrid still struggled however, coming under intense pressure as Alfonso Pedraza hit a post twice in the second half, to add to Manu Garcia’s bullet header.

    Despite his side’s patchy form of just three wins in six league matches this term, Zidane still insists Real are on the rise.

    “There has to be patience. It’s not a brilliant time for us, but we have to accept it,” said Zidane.

    “I’m certain that we’ll have a better performance next time.

    “We know that it’s difficult wherever we go, Alaves needed the points. They had a good game.

    “I’m satisfied and so can everyone be because we got what we wanted, the three points.

    “I won’t single anything out in particular, but we got the three points and we’ll have much better days, especially in terms of our performance, but you have to congratulate the players.

    “Playing every three days ultimately requires a big effort, so we can be happy.

    “Two goals aren’t many for all the chances we had, but the important thing was to win.”
    Ceballos had reportedly been frustrated to remain an unused substitute in Real’s 1-0 home loss to his old club Betis on Wednesday night.

    The 21-year-old vented any lingering annoyance in fine fashion with his brace at Alaves, however, leaving Zidane purring.

    Ceballos' brace led Real Madrid to a nervy win.

    Ceballos’ brace led Real Madrid to a nervy win.

    “He’s ready to play, he did very well, and both of his goals make me happy,” said Zidane.
    “The goals aside, he did very well, played very well and I’m happy for him because he’s a lad who wants to learn, and he’ll get more chances. We got the three points thanks to him.

    “I’m happy for Dani, he’s done well. He had a great game and showed that he was worthy of being here.”

    Cristiano Ronaldo drew a blank in front of goal, hitting a post with a curling effort, but Zidane insists the Portugal talisman remains calm despite recent frustrations.

    “When he doesn’t score, you ask about him, but he’s calm,” said Zidane.

    “He wants to score and had chances to do so. Ultimately, like always, he’ll make the difference.

    “He likes his position and we can play in different formations. He was our only striker against Alaves, but we can change things on Tuesday.”

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