Sunday, 4 December 2016

"I'll underline the team's hard work" - Zinedine Zidane hails team spirit after El Clásico draw

Zinedine Zidane Real Madrid El Clásico Barcelona Camp Nou La Liga

Real Madrid scored a late equalizer to take away a point from the Camp Nou.

Sergio Ramos, the captain, rescued Los Blancos in the 90th minute as Barcelona managed to take the lead earlier in the 53rd minute.

It was a hard fought match and Zidane believed that it was not easy to come to Camp Nou and win.

Excerpts from the post match interview -

Speaking to the Real Madrid ​official website, the French legend said: “We have to highlight the spirit shown by this team yet again, the way we worked together and the belief we showed until the end to clinch this important point.

"I don't know whether or not [a draw is] fair, but it's the way it's gone. It's a point, we keep picking them up, and in the first half we had chances to hurt them.

"They scored their goal in the second half, we let up a bit and they grew in confidence. It's a point but it doesn't feel like a win. We can be very happy with how we played against a very tough opponent. Now we have to rest up because we've got another match in no time at all," Zidane continued.

He also emphasized on the fact that the title race is far from over and there is still long way to go.

"We've got a six-point advantage, but that won't change anything. This is a long-run thing and we have to work hard until the end. We're pleased with the point but we know that La Liga will be tough right to the finish.

“We can mix things up and we have a lot of different players who add something new within different tactical systems. That is the good thing about this team and today we saw the importance of each player. We are going to need all of these individuals right up until the end”.

Zidane also heaped praise on the captain and saviour of the match, Sergio Ramos.
"It was a real collective effort. It's not an easy place to come and we were under pressure, but it's difficult for anyone.
"I'll underline the team's hard work. At the end, as always, Ramos is there to score and I'm happy for him, and we've managed to get something thanks to our belief until the final moment.

“It doesn't surprise me anymore. It's the way he is. He's got real personality and you can always count on him in these game. He never lets his head drop and he's motivated until the final minute. It's great for us, Zidane concluded.

Zidane overtook Carlo Ancelotti's record of 32 games unbeaten streak with the draw.

Real Madrid play Borussia Dortmund next at Santiago Bernabeu for the top place finish.

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