Zidane: "Ronaldo? You have to take him off from time to time"
Zinedine Zidane discussed taking Cristiano Ronaldo off, during Real Madrid's 2-2 draw against Las Palmas, and said he had to rest occasionally.Real Madrid-Deportivo: LaLiga matchday 20
Zidane asked about Ronaldo substitution
Zinedine Zidane, Real Madrid coach, spoke after his side were held to a 2-2 draw by Las Palmas in LaLiga Santander away in the Estadio Gran Canario. One of the main issues discussed was his decision to take off Cristiano Ronaldo in the 71st minute of the game, with Real Madrid leading 1-2.
Ronaldo angry at being substituted
Ronaldo had been off form during the game, but the Portuguese striker appeared angry and disappointed with the decision, muttering to himself as he strode towards the dug-out and refusing to look at Zidane when the coach offered his hand, though he did take it.
According to Zidane however the decision to take Ronaldo off was not to do with his performance against Las Palmas, but thinking to the future.
"We're playing on Tuesday and he has to rest from time to time. He was playing well, but I have to choose and tonight I changed him thinking about Tuesday".
Asked about the Portuguese striker's apparently angry reaction, Zidane said: "Of course he wants to stay on the pitch, but I have to think about my players and in particular Cristiano. We've got a game on Tuesday and he needs to come off occasionally".
"If you lose two goals, things haven't been perfect"
As to the game Zidane said he felt Las Palmas second equaliser had come from a lack of concentration, and that Real Madrid had had chances, but hadn't taken them, though he accepted that any time "you lose two goals, things haven't been perfect".
"We've dropped two points, but we're going to carry on", concluded Zidane.