Zinedine Zidane insists Real Madrid only lacked ‘concentration’ for Girona’s two goals on Sunday and not intensity or effort.
Madrid slumped to a 2-1 defeat in their first-ever meeting with Girona, prompting fears that Los Blancos had lost their desire as they fell eight points behind Barcelona at the top of La Liga, but Zidane assured his side would “lift themselves”.
“What we lacked? The second goal,” the Coach said after the game.
“We did well in the first half, but their first goal came from a throw-in and we weren’t focused.
“There’s no need to go over it again. It wasn’t planned. We did well in the first half but worse in the second. Now we’re going to lift ourselves.
“I don’t think we played badly. We worked hard. That’s why it bothers me. It’s more down to concentration as we showed our faces.
“We didn’t pick up the three points. All my players worked hard, but the two goals came from a throw-in and then a rebound.
“It is what it is. Today we’ve dropped three points, we’re eight behind [Barca], but it’s not going to change anything.
“We can lift ourselves, we’ll have better days and our rivals will drop points. We’ll analyse [this game] with them, but for now we’ll rest as we play again on Wednesday.
“I’m annoyed for them. If we lose, it’s for a reason, but we put in enough effort. Different attitude in La Liga? I don’t see it.
“We’re not too slack in the League. On the contrary, it’s what we focus on every day.
“It’s true that we dropped points again, which I didn’t expect after four straight wins, but our level and desire remain intact.
“What worries me today is us dropping three points… or not killing the game off. However, I’m not worried about our lack of intensity or desire.
“These things happen in La Liga. We’re going to continue with our work because that’s what we’ve been doing. I’m not worried.
“I think we had chances to score the second. When you’re leading 1-0 at half-time, you have to think that your opponents can still hurt you.
“You have to be focused on what your opponents are good at, in this case the second ball, throw-in…
“We lacked a little in terms of concentration. After all of that, you have to think about the next match.
“We know we’re going to lift ourselves. The League is very long and I’m not worried.
“Nothing has happened, besides our lack of concentration in two phases of play. Sometimes it comes down to details. If you’re focused, it’s more difficult for your opponents.
“Confidence in the Champions League? I don’t know if Bale will make it, he’s continuing with his recovery.
“The team can’t be happy after a loss. We’ll rest and pick ourselves up.”
