Zinedine Zidane acknowledged he has a Champions League final selection headache after his Real Madrid side routed Celta Vigo 6-0 at the Bernabeu.
Gareth Bale and Isco both pressed their cases for starting places against Liverpool in Kiev on May 26.
Bale scored twice – making it seven goals in nine games – while Isco matched the Welshman’s stunning second with a wonderful individual effort from the other side of the penalty area.
“It’s better to have everyone plugged in,” Zidane said at his post-match press conference.
“Then of course it will be a headache to select the team for the final.
“We had a great game and that was important. We were very professional, scoring six goals and playing a lot of football. We did very well.”
Bale has often incurred the wrath of Madridistas, especially when his impact has been affected by injuries.
But the 28-year-old received a warm ovation when he was substituted after 71 minutes, his double taking his league tally for the season to 15.
“He is very good, he has shown that,” Zidane said. “He was good at everything. I am happy for him. But the important thing is that we all arrive in optimal form.”
Goalkeeper Keylor Navas was another in the spotlight with Liverpool on the horizon. Navas made some important saves at 0-0 and earned praise from his French manager.
“I’m happy for him, for all the plaudits he has received,” Zidane said. “He saved us two or three times against Celta.
It gives us hope when Keylor can do this kind of thing.
“He is a very important player.”
Young Moroccan full-back Achraf Hakimi and Toni Kroos were also on the scoresheet, while Celta defender Sergi Gomez put through his own net.
Real’s emphatic victory leaves them three points behind second-placed Atletico Madrid going into the final weekend of the season.
Atletico kept their advantage by winning 1-0 at Getafe, but Diego Simeone’s side know they can not afford to falter at home to Eibar next weekend.
That is because Real – who conclude their season at Villarreal – have a vastly superior goal difference to their city rivals.
Celta Vigo dropped a place to 13th and the Galicians’ disappointing season is petering out.
“We wanted to be in those European positions but we have to think about next season,” striker Iago Aspas told beIN Sports Espana.
“The important thing is to take it little by little.”
