Zidane: “No, I don’t think this Leganés win was our best performance of the season”

Real Madrid scored five goals in the same match for the first time this season, yet Zinedine Zidane doesn’t believe that Wednesday night’s victory over Leganés was the best performance of the capital city side’s season. “I don’t think so,” he said when that suggestion was put to him in the post-match press conference. “To say it was our best of the season, I don’t think so. But I’m happy with the performance and to have scored five goals. It’s true that we’d gone some time without scoring five goals. People might think this was our best match. I don’t. But I am happy.” Pressed on which match was his indeed his favourite of the season, he said he preferred the performances against Celta Vigo and Galatasary.

There were many individual performances to be satisfied with, including from youngsters Rodrygo and Fede Valverde and the coach was asked about them. “Each one of the young players brings something to the team and, when they have minutes, they have to make the most of it and they do,” he said. Going on to speak in more detail about Valverde, he said: “If he plays then it’s for a reason. We think about him for the future, but he’s also for the present. What impresses me is that he’s physically strong and quick, but he’s also very forceful. When he goes for a ball, he’s very forceful.”

There was a first Real Madrid goal for Luka Jović and Zidane expressed his delight at that weight being lifted off the striker’s shoulders: “I am happy for him. It was also a good goal. A good header to tell people that he is a goalscorer. We’re happy for him.”

With Gareth Bale having been spotted leaving the Bernabéu before the end of the match, Zidane was asked if this is allowed from the players who aren’t in the matchday squad. “Yes, I think so,” the Frenchman replied. “If he left before the match ended, then it’s because he has permission.” He also confirmed that he’d spoken with Bale on Wednesday in the dressing room.