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Zinedine Zidane showed he is brave by subbing Cristiano Ronaldo, says Terry Gibson

Cristiano Ronaldo reacts during the match between Las Palmas and Real Madrid
Image: Cristiano Ronaldo was tactically substituted for the first time at Real Madrid

Cristiano's Ronaldo's reaction to being tactically substituted for the first time in his Real Madrid career is understandable, but Zinedine Zidane has proved he is brave, according to Sky Sports pundit Terry Gibson.

Ronaldo has been substituted 22 times in his Real Madrid career, but this was the first time in 231 La Liga appearances that the reason for his withdrawal had been tactical.

The club's all-time goalscorer was visibly frustrated with manager Zinedine Zidane's decision, and Real went on to concede and drop points from a winning position against Las Palmas.

Yet, while Gibson understands why Ronaldo reacted in the way that he did, the La Liga weekly pundit believes that the surrounding context - including the player's form and Real's busy schedule - more than justified the substitution.

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Cristiano Ronaldo was far from impressed after being substituted for Real Madrid at Las Palmas. The La Liga leaders conceded a late equaliser as Barcelona

"I think it was the right decision by Zidane, with the situation regarding the game, the way that Ronaldo was playing," Gibson said on La Liga Weekly Podcast.

"But I fully understand Ronaldo's behaviour. He knows when the world is on him, when the cameras are going to be viewing his reaction. It would be hypocritical of me (to criticise), because I probably did it loads of times, but I wasn't Ronaldo and the cameras weren't on me.

"I was thinking at the time whether that would be the change that Zidane would make, but I was still surprised when he chose to do it."

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Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid
Image: Cristiano Ronaldo was visibly frustrated by his substitution

And Gibson also said, with his tongue partially in his cheek, that former Real Madrid manager Rafael Benitez would have been sacked far earlier if he'd made the same decision.

"He'd be gone", Gibson joked. "But Zidane's shown in his brief reign that he is brave enough to make the big decisions, and that comes from him feeling secure in his position at Real Madrid where other managers in the past haven't.

"He feels secure, not just as manager of Real Madrid but with his status in world football, so he feels entitled to make the decisions he feels are right for the team and right for the club.

"Unfortunately for Real Madrid and for Zidane, they didn't win the game."

MADRID, SPAIN - SEPTEMBER 21: Coach Zinedine Zidane of Real Madrid CF looks on as he enters to the pitch prior to start the La Liga match between Real Madr
Image: Zinedine Zidane is making big calls where his predecessors failed

Zidane's decision, Ronaldo's reaction and Real's dropped points all combined to make this incident the biggest of the weekend in La Liga, but Gibson reiterated in his discussion with Jon Driscoll that the Los Blancos manager's decision-making was sound.

"It is going to be a massive story, it was a massive issue, but I'm pretty nonplussed by it," the La Liga Weekly pundit said. "When you look at the way Ronaldo was playing, the fact he's only just returned from injury, the fact they've got Dortmund midweek in the Champions League as well, I kind of understand all the reasons why Zidane would make that change. But I also understand Ronaldo's fury at being taken off."

LISTEN: La Liga Weekly
LISTEN: La Liga Weekly

Jon Driscoll and Terry Gibson discuss Ronaldo's substitution at the weekend

Real are top of La Liga and unbeaten in all competitions so far this season, yet have looked sluggish in recent matches, dropping points in consecutive games to bring an end to their perfect start to the league campaign.

"It's going to be a recurring theme at this messy stage of the season - players not looking at their sharpest, not looking at their best," Gibson explained. "It's not just a problem for Real Madrid, it's a problem for a lot of big clubs around Europe."

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Barcelona moved within a point of Real Madrid at the top of La Liga as the Catalans beat Sporting Gijon 5-0 while their rivals drew 2-2 at Las Palmas.

However, Real's stuttering form has also led to questions over whether Zidane has developed a clear style of play during his time at the club.

"Do we see a style of play from Real Madrid, an identity? Probably not," Gibson added. "The identity is having brilliant players, world-class players and hoping that's going to be enough to manage to win games, to win titles, to win honours.

"As regarding his substitutions, I don't think there's an issue with being confused about it - he surprised a lot of people with the substitutions that he made at the weekend. James didn't get on, Isco hasn't been getting on, and then you see players like Lucas Vazquez coming on ahead of those. But I'm not surprised by anything that we're seeing from Real Madrid."

"Do we see a style of play from Real Madrid, an identity? Probably not. The identity is having brilliant players, world-class players and hoping that's going to be enough to manage to win games, to win titles, to win honours."
Terry Gibson

Defensive midfielder Casemiro cemented his place in Zidane's plans in the second half of last season, but has missed the two recent draws due to injury and is set to remain out for several more weeks. Madrid have reverted to their old midfield shape in the Brazilian's absence, using a combination of Luka Modric, Toni Kroos and Mateo Kovacic to cover the defensive role, but Gibson believes not properly covering Casemiro was the club's big oversight in the summer transfer window.

"I think the biggest element for me with Real Madrid this season was that they didn't invest in another holding midfield player," Gibson said. "We're now back to them chopping and changing in midfield, hoping that between them Modric and Kroos can solve that problem, but it takes away from their natural game, which is being creative, being skilful, creating chances for team-mates, so that's the only thing that's surprised me.

Casemiro of Real Madrid CF is closed down by Sergio Aguero of Manchester City
Image: Real Madrid's lack of cover for Casemiro could be a big oversight

"They didn't have to spend a fortune on one and they didn't spend a lot of money in the transfer window, just Morata was the only real outlay. So I am surprised that they didn't go and buy a really good, solid player who could play in that position if Casemiro was injured, suspended or needed resting, because it changes the whole tactical plan of Zidane."

Real Madrid visit Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League on Tuesday, before returning to La Liga with a game against Eibar at the Bernabeu on Sunday.

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