Post-Match Press Conference: Real Madrid 0 - 1 Real Betis

Following Madrid’s 1-0 loss to Real Betis, Zidane appeared in front of the press to call for calm and remind everyone that the season has only just begun.

Zidane On the Game

The way we see it, is that the ball just didn't want to go in today. We had 26 or 27 attempts and in the end, it hasn't gone in. That's football. It wasn't a great performance but it wasn't too bad either. If you get a goal, it's a different game. Last year we won games that perhaps we didn't deserve to win, now it's gone the other way. We have to stay calm. That's three games at home and we've taken two points from nine.

It's tough to lose Marcelo and concede the goal. Perhaps we didn't deserve to win the game, but we definitely didn't deserve to lose it. I know that a lot of people don't like to hear that when things are going badly, but we've got to accept it, remain calm and focus on the next game. La Liga is a long competition and we're going to make sure there is a sense of calm in the group because we'll recover from this and I'm sure we'll have better days.

On the Points Gap

We love playing at home. We created chances and we ran a lot. Maybe we didn't deserve to win it, but it hurts to concede a goal right at the end after the effort we put in. This is a long-run thing and the league has only just started, even if we are 7 points behind. We'll keep on with the work we're doing.”

I don't think it's a precarious situation. We've dropped 7 points in few games, but there are still a lot to come, and we shouldn't be throwing away all the good work we've done based on two or three average performances. I'm the coach of this team and we need to keep cool heads.

In the opening minutes of the second half we were much better and had the chance to score. After that we were not hungry enough, this is our third home game and we've not won any, that makes life difficult for us. I don’t think this is cause for concern. We played very well in San Sebastián, and we’ll try to do so again on Saturday. Today was not our best game, football can be like that at times but we don’t have to worry.

On the Conceded Goal

You cannot blame someone for wanting to win the game. We were not switched on when they scored the goal against us and after 90 minutes that can happen.

On His Changes

I always want to win. That will not change. We want to take it game by game and at home especially, we want to win.

On the Differences Between Playing At Home & Away

We’re not playing badly, but struggling to score at home. We had chances but could not convert. If we score that first one then the game is ours. We’re scoring more goals away from home and playing better. We need to change things at home for sure.