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Real Madrid’s defense has been phenomenal this season, and statistically, one of the best in all of Europe.
3- Real Madrid haven't faced a shot on target in three games in #LaLiga this season, more than any other team in the Top 5 European Leagues: vs Sevilla at Sánchez-Pizjuán, vs Osasuna at home & vs Real Valladolid at Nuevo José Zorrilla. Calm#ValladolidRealMadrid #LaLigaSantander pic.twitter.com/j15kVWnCct
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) January 26, 2020
Zidane highlighted and praised his team’s defensive effort after Real Madrid’s narrow win over Valladolid on Sunday night:
“Defensively we are doing very well. That’s our strength. We all defend and when we lose the ball we immediately press and win it high up the field. If we don’t concede, we have a good chance of scoring. That’s what happened today”.
Zidane also spoke about the title race, and how despite Real Madrid having a slight advantage in the table, the quest to win another La Liga crown is far from over:
“It doesn’t change anything. We are happy with the victory, for the hard work done and for having fought until the end. There are still 17 games left and if we want something we will have to fight until the end. Today we are first and we will have to fight until the end. There is a long way to go in LaLiga”.
“That is all down to our rivals, they were physically strong. That is how it always is. It was a complicated first half, but in the second half we were faster and played down the wings more. We played a lot better. Karim did not score but he’ll score next time I’m sure”.
Zidane was also asked about Kobe Bryant’s passing:
“It is such upsetting news for the world of sports and our hearts go out to his family. I did not know him but I am saddened by what has happened”.