“All I can say is that it’s not just about our fitness”, he said.
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AS have him quoted as saying in his own post game press conference, but specifically on Ronaldo’s interview.
Real Sociedad came from behind to salvage a 1-1 draw with Malaga in the day’s final match, with Imanol Agirretxe cancelling out Duje Cop’s opener. “It’s always been like this in Spain, all these years. It is my point of view”.
“It’s a very good lead, we won’t lie, but if we lose a game, [Madrid and Atleti] are very good teams who will push us until the end”.
Zidane also conceded that his team has no realistic chance of challenging for the league title, despite his pre-match assertions that the result of Saturday’s derby would not be decisive.
Real Madrid started pressuring and controlled the early parts of the game but Atletico improved and didn’t allow the hosts to create many chances. “They are very good players, but it’s not the same”.
“I don’t want to disrespect anyone, but when the best players aren’t available it’s harder to win”.
Ronaldo, who has played every minute in La Liga so far this season, said it was a big issue for Madrid to have to rely on squad players this season with bigger names like Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema unavailable.
Madrid wanted a red card for Atletico defender Diego Godin pulling Karim Benzema’s jersey when the French striker headed toward the goal in the 31st but the referee only showed Godin a yellow card.
Madrid have endured a season from hell as Zidane replaced the sacked Rafael Benitez in January, whilst the club has suffered a series of institutional embarrassments, including being eliminated from the Copa del Rey for fielding an ineligible player.
“It annoys me that they say that Cristiano has dropped his level, and that is why Madrid have dropped their level”, Ronaldo said to reporters in the mixed zone following the match. “The players know what they have to do”.
Atletico have also closed the gap on league leaders, Barcelona, to five points, but Real Madrid remain nine points off the summit ahead of the Catalan side’s game in hand, which is at home to Sevilla on Sunday.
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“We were not as ready for the game as we thought we were”.
