Zidane: I am responsible for poor first half
Zinedine Zidane spoke to media following Real Madrid's victory over Atlético, in which he praised his player's attitude in the second half after a poor opening 45 minutes.
Zidane’s post-match interview
Feelings after the game: “Everybody is very happy. We were looking for this. We had a difficult first half against an opponent who played a good game. We played better in the second half, with a different attitude and intensity. The responsibility is also mine for the first half. I don't like to make changes at the break but something had to be done. I could have changed two other players, because I didn't like anything. But it’s not the players, it was my fault. We had to change a bit and we did it. Everything was better in the second half."
Commitment of the players: “With and without the ball we were very focused. We have opened the field well, playing quickly from side to side, with two touches. The goal we scored, for example, with Vinicius, Mendy and Karim's shot, we did it quickly. It's not easy what these players are doing. I'm glad for them because they fight on the field. When we have difficulties we don't lower our arms, we continue. It's the team we have and the crowd clapping at the end was a testament to this.”
Zidane’s press conference comments
Vinicius’ improvement: "We are all here to do the same. The [half-time substitutions] changed the game, but it bothers me to take two players off. But something had to be done. In the second half, we all changed our attitude. There was more intensity and I'm glad for the players. [Atlético] were very good in the first half, we were good in the second and I think it's a deserved victory.”
Is beating Atlético a special result for the title campaign? “A derby is always special and complicated. It has taken it out of us, against a team that defend very well and feel comfortable defending. In the first part they had some good plays, but in the end we’ve got the three points. We are happy with the three points, but it’s not five, we have earned the same as any other game.”
Morata penalty claim: "I didn’t see it. As always I don’t want to get into these things, the referee was better positioned and said there was nothing.”
Are you more comfortable with 4-3-3 than with five midfielders? “No, because the other day in the Super Cup [against Atlético] we were comfortable this way [with five midfielders]. Today it has not worked and I am responsible for that. We didn’t start well physically and that cost us. In the end what we had to do is change things when they didn’t work out.”
Has Bale lost his status? "No, he was available and I have chosen others. But he is part of the team and I will count on him until the end."
Are you thinking about the treble? "We are not thinking about that. We have just won a game. We have to be happy about that but there is a long way to go. There are many games still to play and we haven’t won anything yet. We won the Super Cup but there is a long road in all three other competitions.”
Mendy and Benzema were decisive: “I think the team is doing very well, I am very satisfied. It is not easy to play every three days, do well and be competitive. In the first half we didn’t play well, but we had an opponent who played better and in the second half our attitude was very good and we have achieved a great result. The goal was a good link-up between Vinicius, Mendy and Benzema and seeing such a goal is magnificent, because it is against a team that defends very well. We were very fast in that play.”