Zidane: “If it’s a penalty then it’s a penalty”

Real Madrid have made it eight wins from eight since the restart and Zinedine Zidane is proud of the latest performance, the 2-0 win over Alavés. That said, he isn’t taking anything for granted yet. “There are still three matches to go, so we don’t yet know,” he said when asked in his press conference about the possibility of winning this championship. “I’ve always said that LaLiga is very tough and complicated. We have three finals left. We need to rest. You rest better when you’ve won.”

Once again, Real Madrid were awarded a penalty. But, once again, it was the correct decision. As Zidane pointed out: “If it’s a penalty then it’s a penalty. I look at the football and the move, the good move, that led to the penalty. What want to score, in whichever way possible.”

There was concern as Karim Benzema had to limp off in this match. On that potential injury, the coach said: “We’ll see. We need to rest right now. I don’t think it’s anything important. It was just a knock and he was fine in the second half. Given that it’s only a knock, I think he’ll be fine. It was just a bit of tiredness and he wasn’t complaining about anything after the match.”

Finally, Zidane was asked if James Rodríguez will play for the club again. “I don’t know,” he said, in a three-word answer.