Zizou is already going through a difficult phase as his team is not performing up to the mark and now Gareth Bale&#39;s injury is giving extra tensions to the Frenchman. Bale has been plagued by injuries during his time at Real.&nbsp;Zidane urged that he just wanted to see Bale &quot;100&nbsp;per cent&nbsp;well&quot;.&nbsp;Real Madrid, the defending champions, is definitely not having the dream run. Few matches before, even there were speculations that&nbsp;Zinedine Zidane&#39;s future as Real&#39;s coach is doubtful. Though, it is not justified to blame the former French striker completely as there were other reasons as well for Madrid&#39;s poor performance. Madrid&#39;s football depended a lot on the quality of players they had, rather than a philosophy of play. Now the players are not performing, that is a problem. Karim Benzema, like Ronaldo, has found it hard to score this season in the previous clash of Champions League against Paris-Saint Germain Ronaldo broke the jinx. While Toni Kroos has not been as accurate as usual with his passes in the middle of the pitch.

Currently, Barcelona is at the top of La Liga table and third-placed Real Madrid are still hopeful of catching neighbours Atletico Madrid, who are seven points above them in second.

Zidane rested a number of key players in their 3-1 victory over Leganes in La Liga mid-week, including Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale, but may well play a full-strength side against Alaves on Saturday (24th February), who have won their last three La Liga games.

Bale has been the subject of much recent media speculation, amid reports that Real may try to offload the Wales international this summer.

On the transfer news, Zidane said, &quot;I don&#39;t know, you should ask him. I do the same thing with all the players, including Gareth.

He also mentioned, &quot;He&#39;s doing well in training, he&#39;s committed, but I want to see Gareth 100 per cent well, I don&#39;t want to lose him again.&quot;

&quot;In every player I evaluate their form, how they feel, everything. Many factors are taken into consideration. You ask the question, but there are many things to bear in mind,&quot; Real Madrid&#39;s coach added.

&quot;But I&#39;m sure Gareth will&nbsp; continue to play an important role. He hasn&#39;t played recently because he&acute;s been injured, but he will, like the other players.&quot;

&nbsp;

Bale has been the subject of much recent media speculation, amid reports that Real may try to offload the Wales international this summer

Zizou is already going through a difficult phase as his team is not performing up to the mark and now Gareth Bale's injury is giving extra tensions to the Frenchman. Bale has been plagued by injuries during his time at Real. Zidane urged that he just wanted to see Bale "100 per cent well". Real Madrid, the defending champions, is definitely not having the dream run. Few matches before, even there were speculations that Zinedine Zidane's future as Real's coach is doubtful. Though, it is not justified to blame the former French striker completely as there were other reasons as well for Madrid's poor performance. Madrid's football depended a lot on the quality of players they had, rather than a philosophy of play. Now the players are not performing, that is a problem. Karim Benzema, like Ronaldo, has found it hard to score this season in the previous clash of Champions League against Paris-Saint Germain Ronaldo broke the jinx. While Toni Kroos has not been as accurate as usual with his passes in the middle of the pitch. Currently, Barcelona is at the top of La Liga table and third-placed Real Madrid are still hopeful of catching neighbours Atletico Madrid, who are seven points above them in second. Zidane rested a number of key players in their 3-1 victory over Leganes in La Liga mid-week, including Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale, but may well play a full-strength side against Alaves on Saturday (24th February), who have won their last three La Liga games. Bale has been the subject of much recent media speculation, amid reports that Real may try to offload the Wales international this summer. On the transfer news, Zidane said, "I don't know, you should ask him. I do the same thing with all the players, including Gareth. He also mentioned, "He's doing well in training, he's committed, but I want to see Gareth 100 per cent well, I don't want to lose him again." "In every player I evaluate their form, how they feel, everything. Many factors are taken into consideration. You ask the question, but there are many things to bear in mind," Real Madrid's coach added. "But I'm sure Gareth will continue to play an important role. He hasn't played recently because he´s been injured, but he will, like the other players."

Gareth Bale's injury concerns Zidane

Real&nbsp;Madrid&nbsp;moved back into the top four of La Liga by thumping lowly Deportivo La Coruna 7-1 on Sunday, with Cristiano Ronaldo ending a miserable run of league form with a late double.

Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane expressed his happiness at his side&#39;s dominant victory in the Spanish La Liga on Sunday after a poor spell for the Spanish giants piled the pressure on Zidane.

&quot;I don&#39;t know if many things changed, I think what&#39;s changed here is just the final result, I think that&#39;s the difference because we were also playing very well against Villarreal and today we did the same when we were losing 1-0.

&quot;We kept working and thinking about our moves, we were thinking about the match, we scored the equaliser pretty early and I&#39;m happy about today because it was what we were missing, we needed that.&quot;

&quot;We need to score a lot of goals and I&#39;m happy about that.&quot;

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???????? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Zidane?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Zidane</a> analiza la goleada del <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RealMadrid?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RealMadrid</a> ante el Deportivo. Esto fue lo que dijo... ????<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RMLiga?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RMLiga</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HalaMadrid?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HalaMadrid</a> <a href="https://t.co/WlDMYsrfIB">https://t.co/WlDMYsrfIB</a>
&mdash; Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) <a href="https://twitter.com/realmadrid/status/955147934454165505?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 21, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Real had lost two of their last three league games and got off on the wrong foot against relegation-threatened Deportivo when former Atletico Madrid forward Adrian Lopez put the visiting side ahead against the run of play in the 23rd minute.

The Madrid side suffered a 1-0 home defeat to Villarreal last weekend and was keen not to have a repeat result, striking back quickly before swiftly establishing a comfortable lead with a brace for Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Nacho Fernandez, as well as a long-range strike from Luka Modric.

Real climbed back above Villarreal into fourth place on 35 points but are still far behind runaway leaders Barcelona, who top the standings with 51 points and can move 11 clear of nearest challengers Atletico Madrid if they beat Real Betis later on Sunday.

&nbsp;

Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane voices his joy as his struggling side turn on the style to thrash Deportivo 7-1

Real Madrid moved back into the top four of La Liga by thumping lowly Deportivo La Coruna 7-1 on Sunday, with Cristiano Ronaldo ending a miserable run of league form with a late double. Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane expressed his happiness at his side's dominant victory in the Spanish La Liga on Sunday after a poor spell for the Spanish giants piled the pressure on Zidane. "I don't know if many things changed, I think what's changed here is just the final result, I think that's the difference because we were also playing very well against Villarreal and today we did the same when we were losing 1-0. "We kept working and thinking about our moves, we were thinking about the match, we scored the equaliser pretty early and I'm happy about today because it was what we were missing, we needed that." "We need to score a lot of goals and I'm happy about that." ???????? #Zidane analiza la goleada del #RealMadrid ante el Deportivo. Esto fue lo que dijo... ????#RMLiga | #HalaMadrid https://t.co/WlDMYsrfIB — Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) January 21, 2018 × Real had lost two of their last three league games and got off on the wrong foot against relegation-threatened Deportivo when former Atletico Madrid forward Adrian Lopez put the visiting side ahead against the run of play in the 23rd minute. The Madrid side suffered a 1-0 home defeat to Villarreal last weekend and was keen not to have a repeat result, striking back quickly before swiftly establishing a comfortable lead with a brace for Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Nacho Fernandez, as well as a long-range strike from Luka Modric. Real climbed back above Villarreal into fourth place on 35 points but are still far behind runaway leaders Barcelona, who top the standings with 51 points and can move 11 clear of nearest challengers Atletico Madrid if they beat Real Betis later on Sunday.

Zidane happy as Real Madrid thrashes Deportivo 7-1

Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo today hit out at the Spanish football federation(RFEF) accusing the sports body&#39;s decision to impose a five-match ban as &quot;exaggerated&quot; and &nbsp;&quot;ridiculous&quot;.

&quot;It&#39;s impossible not to react to this situation, 5 games! It seems to me exaggerated and ridiculous, this is called persecution!&quot; Ronaldo wrote in an Instagram post.

Ronaldo was handed the ban after he shoved referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea as he was being sent off during Madrid&#39;s match against Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final on Sunday. Ronaldo&#39;s on-field behaviour meant he received an automatic one-match ban for his dismissal and an extra four-match ban was added later after he was found guilty of misbehaviour with the referee.

The World Player of the Year was fined $4,500 and given ten days to appeal. Real appealed but the RFEF rejected it although the club can still take the case to Spanish&#39;s government&#39;s sports court in order to reduce the ban.

During the match against Barcelona on Sunday, the 32-year-old star threw his shirt after scoring and held it up to the crowd and was promptly booked and just minutes later he was sent off after trying to win a penalty and appeared to angrily push Ricardo De Burgos Bengoetxea which later attracted a four-match ban.

Coach Zidane backed Ronaldo, saying: &quot;We played a great game but I am annoyed by Cristiano&#39;s sending off, perhaps it wasn&#39;t a penalty but the red card is a little harsh. We can&#39;t change it, but we&#39;ll try and make sure he plays on Wednesday.&quot;

Ronaldo was handed the ban after he shoved referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea as he was being sent off during Madrid's match against Barcelona

Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo today hit out at the Spanish football federation(RFEF) accusing the sports body's decision to impose a five-match ban as "exaggerated" and "ridiculous". "It's impossible not to react to this situation, 5 games! It seems to me exaggerated and ridiculous, this is called persecution!" Ronaldo wrote in an Instagram post. Ronaldo was handed the ban after he shoved referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea as he was being sent off during Madrid's match against Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final on Sunday. Ronaldo's on-field behaviour meant he received an automatic one-match ban for his dismissal and an extra four-match ban was added later after he was found guilty of misbehaviour with the referee. The World Player of the Year was fined $4,500 and given ten days to appeal. Real appealed but the RFEF rejected it although the club can still take the case to Spanish's government's sports court in order to reduce the ban. During the match against Barcelona on Sunday, the 32-year-old star threw his shirt after scoring and held it up to the crowd and was promptly booked and just minutes later he was sent off after trying to win a penalty and appeared to angrily push Ricardo De Burgos Bengoetxea which later attracted a four-match ban. Coach Zidane backed Ronaldo, saying: "We played a great game but I am annoyed by Cristiano's sending off, perhaps it wasn't a penalty but the red card is a little harsh. We can't change it, but we'll try and make sure he plays on Wednesday."

Five match ban seems exaggerated and ridiculous: Cristiano Ronaldo

Real Madrid will appeal Cristiano Ronaldo&#39;s second yellow card for diving in the Spanish Super Cup first leg at Barcelona, coach Zinedine Zidane said after the Portuguese showed the best and worst side of his game in Real&#39;s 3-1 win.

Ronaldo spent 24 minutes on the pitch after not starting the game at the Nou Camp but still had the biggest impact.

The 32-year-old, who was given a hostile reception by Barca fans as he warmed up before replacing Karim Benzema, hit back moments after Lionel Messi&#39;s equaliser with a brilliant strike into the top corner to put Real 2-1 up in the 80th minute.

The Portuguese threw off his shirt after scoring and provocatively held it up to the crowd and was booked.

Two minutes later he was sent off for trying to win a penalty in a challenge from Samuel Umtiti, angrily pushing referee Ricardo De Burgos Bengoetxea before leaving the pitch.

&quot;We played a great game but I am annoyed by Cristiano&#39;s sending off,&quot; Zidane told a news conference.

&quot;Perhaps it wasn&#39;t a penalty but the red card is a little harsh. We can&#39;t change it, but we&#39;ll try and make sure he plays on Wednesday.&quot;

Madrid captain Sergio Ramos also leapt to Ronaldo&#39;s defence.

&quot;I think he was caught off balance and he didn&#39;t dive,&quot; said the defender. &quot;We should try and appeal it. It should be analysed a little more.&quot;

Marco Asensio scored Real&#39;s third with a stunning long range goal in the 90th minute, giving Madrid a healthy advantage as they seek to win a fourth trophy in four months and earn their first Super Cup since 2012.

&quot;We fought with 10 players, we believed until the end but it&#39;s only one game, we have the second leg up next,&quot; added Zidane.

Barca coach Ernesto Valverde said his side had not deserved to lose 3-1.

&quot;I don&#39;t have the sensation we were as far away from them as the scoreline suggests,&quot; he said. &quot;They scored three times, but we played well and had our chances.

&quot;They caught us on the counter-attack when it was 1-1 and scored a great goal, and then another one. But it&#39;s not just about getting into the danger zone, it&#39;s about putting your chances away.&quot;

The Portuguese threw off his shirt after scoring and provocatively held it up to the crowd and was booked

Real Madrid will appeal Cristiano Ronaldo's second yellow card for diving in the Spanish Super Cup first leg at Barcelona, coach Zinedine Zidane said after the Portuguese showed the best and worst side of his game in Real's 3-1 win. Ronaldo spent 24 minutes on the pitch after not starting the game at the Nou Camp but still had the biggest impact. The 32-year-old, who was given a hostile reception by Barca fans as he warmed up before replacing Karim Benzema, hit back moments after Lionel Messi's equaliser with a brilliant strike into the top corner to put Real 2-1 up in the 80th minute. The Portuguese threw off his shirt after scoring and provocatively held it up to the crowd and was booked. Two minutes later he was sent off for trying to win a penalty in a challenge from Samuel Umtiti, angrily pushing referee Ricardo De Burgos Bengoetxea before leaving the pitch. "We played a great game but I am annoyed by Cristiano's sending off," Zidane told a news conference. "Perhaps it wasn't a penalty but the red card is a little harsh. We can't change it, but we'll try and make sure he plays on Wednesday." Madrid captain Sergio Ramos also leapt to Ronaldo's defence. "I think he was caught off balance and he didn't dive," said the defender. "We should try and appeal it. It should be analysed a little more." Marco Asensio scored Real's third with a stunning long range goal in the 90th minute, giving Madrid a healthy advantage as they seek to win a fourth trophy in four months and earn their first Super Cup since 2012. "We fought with 10 players, we believed until the end but it's only one game, we have the second leg up next," added Zidane. Barca coach Ernesto Valverde said his side had not deserved to lose 3-1. "I don't have the sensation we were as far away from them as the scoreline suggests," he said. "They scored three times, but we played well and had our chances. "They caught us on the counter-attack when it was 1-1 and scored a great goal, and then another one. But it's not just about getting into the danger zone, it's about putting your chances away."

Real Madrid to appeal Ronaldo card: Zidane

Real Madrid were labelled &quot;insatiable&quot; and &quot;masters of the universe&quot; by an adoring Spanish press on Sunday after writing more Champions League history by thrashing Juventus 4-1 to win the trophy for the 12th time.

Led by two goals from Cristiano Ronaldo, Madrid became the first side in the Champions League era to retain the trophy and claimed a third Champions League in just four years.

&quot;The twelfth for the insatiable,&quot; ran the front cover of Madrid sports daily AS.

Ronaldo&#39;s double saw him become the first man to score in three Champions League finals. He finishes the season for the fifth straight year as the competition&#39;s top scorer with 12 goals and the Portuguese moves closer to matching Lionel Messi&#39;s record of winning the Ballon d&#39;Or five times.

&quot;Cristiano MVP of the final and a step away from his fifth Ballon d&#39;Or,&quot; added AS.

Madrid&#39;s other sports daily Marca declared Real &quot;masters of the universe.&quot;

&quot;A thrashing by Real Madrid of Juve to win the twelfth,&quot; continued it&#39;s front page.

Pictures of captain Sergio Ramos lifting the famous big-eared trophy and a smiling Ronaldo dominated across the front pages and online editions.

&quot;Real Madrid without limits,&quot; declared Spain&#39;s oldest newspaper ABC, whilst La Razon described Zinedine Zidane&#39;s men as &quot;12 times kings.&quot;

&quot;The 12th of a Madrid for the ages,&quot; said El Mundo to hail Madrid&#39;s dominance of Europe&#39;s premier club competition in recent seasons.

Real extend their lead as the most successful side in the history of the competition with AC Milan&#39;s seven titles a long way back as second best.

A huge part of that success is due to winning the first five editions of the competition between 1955 and 1960 and El Pais invoked memories of that side as they led with &quot;Real Madrid enter into a new golden age.&quot;

Madrid&#39;s victory at Cardiff&#39;s Principality Stadium was so resounding that is was even applauded over in Catalonia -- home of Real&#39;s bitter rivals Barcelona.

Barcelona-based newspapers Sport and Mundo Deportivo had published front pages on Saturday morning openly supporting Juventus.

Meanwhile, public Catalan TV station TV3 broadcast an advert backing the Italian champions -- who beat Barca 3-0 in the quarter-finals -- before the game as the &quot;only 11 men capable of avoiding the unavoidable.&quot;

&quot;Real Madrid, deserving champions,&quot; said Sport on its front cover, although the main splash was left for Barca&#39;s latest moves in the transfer market.

Mundo Deportivo was more generous as it lauded the work done by Real&#39;s coach Zidane to win a second Champions League after just 18 months in charge at the Santiago Bernabeu.

&quot;Historic Zidane&quot;, said their front cover.

&quot;The whites wiped the floor with Juventus after half-time and Ronaldo wins the top-scorer award with his double.&quot;

(AFP)

Real Madrid became the first team to retain the Champions League title after they beat Juventus 4-1 on Saturday

Real Madrid were labelled "insatiable" and "masters of the universe" by an adoring Spanish press on Sunday after writing more Champions League history by thrashing Juventus 4-1 to win the trophy for the 12th time. Led by two goals from Cristiano Ronaldo, Madrid became the first side in the Champions League era to retain the trophy and claimed a third Champions League in just four years. "The twelfth for the insatiable," ran the front cover of Madrid sports daily AS. Ronaldo's double saw him become the first man to score in three Champions League finals. He finishes the season for the fifth straight year as the competition's top scorer with 12 goals and the Portuguese moves closer to matching Lionel Messi's record of winning the Ballon d'Or five times. "Cristiano MVP of the final and a step away from his fifth Ballon d'Or," added AS. Madrid's other sports daily Marca declared Real "masters of the universe." "A thrashing by Real Madrid of Juve to win the twelfth," continued it's front page. Pictures of captain Sergio Ramos lifting the famous big-eared trophy and a smiling Ronaldo dominated across the front pages and online editions. "Real Madrid without limits," declared Spain's oldest newspaper ABC, whilst La Razon described Zinedine Zidane's men as "12 times kings." "The 12th of a Madrid for the ages," said El Mundo to hail Madrid's dominance of Europe's premier club competition in recent seasons. Real extend their lead as the most successful side in the history of the competition with AC Milan's seven titles a long way back as second best. A huge part of that success is due to winning the first five editions of the competition between 1955 and 1960 and El Pais invoked memories of that side as they led with "Real Madrid enter into a new golden age." Madrid's victory at Cardiff's Principality Stadium was so resounding that is was even applauded over in Catalonia -- home of Real's bitter rivals Barcelona. Barcelona-based newspapers Sport and Mundo Deportivo had published front pages on Saturday morning openly supporting Juventus. Meanwhile, public Catalan TV station TV3 broadcast an advert backing the Italian champions -- who beat Barca 3-0 in the quarter-finals -- before the game as the "only 11 men capable of avoiding the unavoidable." "Real Madrid, deserving champions," said Sport on its front cover, although the main splash was left for Barca's latest moves in the transfer market. Mundo Deportivo was more generous as it lauded the work done by Real's coach Zidane to win a second Champions League after just 18 months in charge at the Santiago Bernabeu. "Historic Zidane", said their front cover. "The whites wiped the floor with Juventus after half-time and Ronaldo wins the top-scorer award with his double." (AFP)

Spanish press hails Zidan's Real Madrid as 'masters of the universe'

Real Madrid must match the intensity of a stunning first 45 minutes urged coach Zinedine Zidane after snapping a four-game draw streak with a 6-1 rout at Real Betis on Saturday.

Zidane&#39;s men surrendered top spot on goal difference to city rivals Atletico Madrid with three consecutive La Liga draws, along with a point at Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League, prior to the international break.

However, a two-week layoff seemed to do the European champions a world of good as they stormed into a 4-0 lead before half-time to blow Betis away.

&quot;After four draws we had to have a game like this. We played with the necessary intensity to win,&quot; said Zidane.

&quot;There are no small teams (in this league). This is a difficult place to come but we started strongly and it is tough for the opponent when we play like that.&quot;

Zidane had slammed his side&#39;s slow starts earlier this season, in particular in dropping points at home to Basque minnows Eibar last time out.

&quot;They are intelligent, good players. They know we have to start in that manner and they did well. 
When we play with the intensity required it makes it very difficult for the opponent. We have worked on that, but we need to be consistent. This match is a reference point.&quot;

Victory took Real back level with Atletico at the top after Los Rojiblancos went one better in a 7-1 thrashing of Granada earlier on Saturday.

And Zidane insists big wins for Atletico, Barcelona and Sevilla that saw Real slip to fourth before kick-off hadn&#39;t played an extra motivating factor in their sudden return to form.

&quot;You can have a look and see what is happening, but that is independent of what we have to do,&quot; he added.

&quot;We have the obligation to give everything in every game we play. We are all satisfied, but we must continue like this.&quot;

Raphael Varane got Madrid off to the perfect start when he headed home Toni Kroos&#39;s free-kick after just four minutes.

&quot;The intensity we started with made everything a lot easier,&quot; said Varane.

&quot;We have spoken a lot in the past few days about improving that aspect of our play and everyone responded well today.&quot;

Karim Benzema slotted home the second from another Kroos assist before Marcelo added a third.

It was Real&#39;s fourth, though, that stole the show as a sweeping team move involving five players stormed from a Betis corner all the way down the other end of the field in seconds before Isco tapped into an empty net.

&quot;I will watch it again and enjoy it,&quot; said a smiling Zidane.

Alvaro Cejudo pulled a goal back for Betis at the start of the second-half, but a stunning strike from Isco and Cristiano Ronaldo rounded off the scoring.

&quot;I needed a game like that. I needed a little bit of confidence and that will come with more minutes,&quot; said Isco, who was making a rare start in the absence of the injured Luka Modric and James Rodriguez.

&quot;I still don&#39;t have full match fitness, but I hope to keep improving bit-by-bit.&quot; 
 
(AFP)

Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane told his team they played with the intensity to win after their 6-1 win over Betis

Real Madrid must match the intensity of a stunning first 45 minutes urged coach Zinedine Zidane after snapping a four-game draw streak with a 6-1 rout at Real Betis on Saturday. Zidane's men surrendered top spot on goal difference to city rivals Atletico Madrid with three consecutive La Liga draws, along with a point at Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League, prior to the international break. However, a two-week layoff seemed to do the European champions a world of good as they stormed into a 4-0 lead before half-time to blow Betis away. "After four draws we had to have a game like this. We played with the necessary intensity to win," said Zidane. "There are no small teams (in this league). This is a difficult place to come but we started strongly and it is tough for the opponent when we play like that." Zidane had slammed his side's slow starts earlier this season, in particular in dropping points at home to Basque minnows Eibar last time out. "They are intelligent, good players. They know we have to start in that manner and they did well. When we play with the intensity required it makes it very difficult for the opponent. We have worked on that, but we need to be consistent. This match is a reference point." Victory took Real back level with Atletico at the top after Los Rojiblancos went one better in a 7-1 thrashing of Granada earlier on Saturday. And Zidane insists big wins for Atletico, Barcelona and Sevilla that saw Real slip to fourth before kick-off hadn't played an extra motivating factor in their sudden return to form. "You can have a look and see what is happening, but that is independent of what we have to do," he added. "We have the obligation to give everything in every game we play. We are all satisfied, but we must continue like this." Raphael Varane got Madrid off to the perfect start when he headed home Toni Kroos's free-kick after just four minutes. "The intensity we started with made everything a lot easier," said Varane. "We have spoken a lot in the past few days about improving that aspect of our play and everyone responded well today." Karim Benzema slotted home the second from another Kroos assist before Marcelo added a third. It was Real's fourth, though, that stole the show as a sweeping team move involving five players stormed from a Betis corner all the way down the other end of the field in seconds before Isco tapped into an empty net. "I will watch it again and enjoy it," said a smiling Zidane. Alvaro Cejudo pulled a goal back for Betis at the start of the second-half, but a stunning strike from Isco and Cristiano Ronaldo rounded off the scoring. "I needed a game like that. I needed a little bit of confidence and that will come with more minutes," said Isco, who was making a rare start in the absence of the injured Luka Modric and James Rodriguez. "I still don't have full match fitness, but I hope to keep improving bit-by-bit." (AFP)

Zidane commends Real Madrid after victory over Betis

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