Zinedine Zidane pleased with Real Madrid intensity in victory over Real Betis
Sunday 16 October 2016 08:41, UK
Zinedine Zidane admitted his team had to produce a good display as they ended a run of four successive draws with a 6-1 hammering of Real Betis in Seville.
There had been whispers of criticism directed at Zidane after a 100 per cent start to the campaign after four games in La Liga tailed off disappointingly, with a lacklustre draw at home to Eibar before the international break especially unconvincing.
But the 11-time European champions underlined their quality on Saturday night as Isco scored a brace and there was a goal apiece for Raphael Varane, Karim Benzema, Marcelo and Cristiano Ronaldo as they remained second behind Atletico Madrid on goal difference.
"I am very pleased - after four draws we had to play a game like that," Zidane said in quotes reported by Marca.
"We played with the necessary intensity. There are no small teams any more but we started strongly and it can be difficult for the opponent when you start that way."
Varane headed in the opener in the fourth minute and Benzema added the second 28 minutes later, with Toni Kroos supplying both assists. Marcelo scuffed in a third from an offside position but Isco's fourth was a thing of beauty as his tap-in rounded off a lightning-fast, end-to-end team move.
The former Malaga man, who had been on the periphery of Zidane's squad in the early weeks of the season, curled in a brilliant fifth after Alvaro Cejudo had pulled one back for Betis.
Ronaldo had the final word with his second La Liga goal, bursting through on goal and powering a shot past Antonio Adan.
"The players are good and intelligent, and we knew we had to play in that (intensive) manner. We have to be satisfied with that result and use it as a reference point for the rest of the season. To win like that away from home is not easy."
On the performance of Isco, Zidane added: "He did well and I am happy for his goals and his display in general."
Ronaldo's form has been under the microscope and his reaction to being substituted away to Las Palmas earlier in the season was widely scrutinised, but Zidane is content with the contribution from his Portuguese superstar.
"I don't look at him with even a little bit of anxiety - it's normal that he wants to score goals," the Frenchman added.
"It is important that he conveys a positive energy to the rest of the team, and I am happy for his goal."
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