Zinedine Zidane admits Real Madrid’s dressing room “is a difficult place to be in” as his side found Sevilla’s 2-1 win on Sunday “hard to take”.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s penalty had given Madrid the lead, until a late Sergio Ramos own goal was followed by Stevan Jovetic’s winner at the death, and the Coach reflected on Los Blancos squandering their 40-match unbeaten run.
“We lost the game in a five-minute spell. It’s hard to take because with the game we had, the defeat is heavy,” the Coach said after the game.
“We knew [a defeat] was going to happen someday, but of course we can take something positive [from the game].
“As always, we have motivation to keep going, although from here to the end of the season will be difficult.
“The 3-5-2? We had to change things after having played three games in 10 days, but I’m happy with the players.
“Mistakes in Sevilla’s goals? It’s certainly easy to say that we weren’t able to defend them.
“It’s true that the first came from a foul and the second came from losing the ball. We did well for 85 minutes…
“I'm very proud of what we did in the 40 games, now we have to rest, think about the next games and find a new dynamic.
“From here to the end of the season, we‘ll have more difficult matches.
“Sevilla showed they had the ability to fight for the League. They play good football, they fight, they put intensity in everything they do.
“But so do we. I’m not going to think anything else about Sevilla. We’re hurt because defeats aren’t welcome here.
“Now the dressing room… is a difficult place to be in. I don’t think it’s a lack of focus.
“I can be very happy with our game and a little disappointed with the two goals we conceded, like the players.
“I don’t think the run ending will affect us. We’ll see on Wednesday, but we have to digest the defeat because no-one likes to lose and in this manner, after playing 85 minutes like we did. We must accept it and rest.
“Ramos? I’m very proud of our captain. I don’t know if it was Sergio who scored [the own goal], but it’s okay, that’s football.
“Now we have to think about the next game, but we congratulate Sevilla for their performance.”
