Real Madrid deserved to win El Derbi, says Zidane
Karim Benzema missed the best chance of the match in the Wanda Metropolitano and the Merengue coach believes his side deserved more than a point
Posted Sunday, September 29, 2019 by Goal.com
Zinedine Zidane feels Real Madrid did enough to pick up victory against Atletico Madrid in Saturday's El Derbi stalemate.
Madrid created the best chance of the game at Wanda Metropolitano, with Jan Oblak producing a fine save to keep out Karim Benzema's header 15 minutes from time in the goalless draw.
The point was enough to take Zidane's men back above surprise package Granada into top spot in LaLiga, but the Frenchman wanted more from the match.
"We deserved much more, but what I have to do is congratulate the players since we have been supportive again and we kept a clean sheet," he said at his post-match news conference.
"It's not just intensity, but what's important is our strength. We saw a strong Madrid because we didn't concede a chance. We lacked in creativity but we're happy with what we did."
Eden Hazard had another quiet match, the Belgium international failing to register a single shot before being replaced by James Rodriguez in the 77th minute.
Zidane admits Hazard, who joined from Chelsea in June for a fee that could reach €168 million, still has some way to go before reaching the levels he hit at his former club.
"He lacks little things. We have to stick with him. He's done a good job, but we haven't had many chances," he added.
"We have to highlight everyone's work. We'd like him to score because it'll release him, but there are no problems, we're sure it'll come."
Zidane echoed the views of skipper Sergio Ramos, who had mixed feelings after keeping a third league clean sheet in a row.
"These games against Atletico are very physical," Ramos told Movistar at full-time.
"It's one of the most difficult stadiums we have to visit throughout the season and it's important to keep a clean sheet.
"But in attack it's hard to create chances because they don't leave much space. This point doesn't mean a lot because we wanted three.
"The defensive side of the game is something we've been working on. Everything adds up and I think we're enjoying a good spell."
Madrid return to action on Tuesday with a home match against Club Brugge in the Champions League, before hosting Granada in LaLiga next Saturday.
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