Real struggle for Zizou to lift uninspired team
MADRID • Zinedine Zidane urged his Real Madrid side to "give a little more" as Karim Benzema's goal was enough only for a 1-1 LaLiga underwhelming draw at Leganes.
Real have 61 points, 13 points adrift of leaders Barcelona, with Zidane's second reign as coach now delivering three wins, one defeat and a draw. They are four points behind Atletico Madrid (65) and finishing second, and above their city rivals, appears unlikely.
"It looks like we do not have much confidence," Zidane said. "We can play better, we must play better. The first half was not so good, the second a bit better.
"Even if this might have been a bad season, we must all give a bit more."
He was asked last month about the humiliation of playing on a Monday night, the time typically reserved for LaLiga's sides not involved in European competitions and so unpopular that it will be abolished next season.
Most of the Frenchman's press conferences have so far been dominated by questions about his players' futures and on this evidence, few will be feeling secure.
Benzema has been, by a distance, Real's most consistent player this season and he showed again why Zidane has already said the striker will stay.
Leganes might even have won it after Jonathan Silva gave them the lead shortly before half-time and while Benzema scored his 26th goal of the season, Real never looked like finding a winner.
Gareth Bale, meanwhile, was benched for the second time in three matches, with his prospects looking evermore bleak.
"It's a really tricky season, it's hard to explain and we all feel sad," said goalkeeper Keylor Navas. "But in this club there's always pressure and that cannot be an excuse."
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, REUTERS
SINGAPORE - Ikhsan Fandi's rich vein of scoring form continues as the Singapore striker found the net in his third consecutive match for second-tier Norwegian club Raufoss IL in just 11 days. On Wednesday (May 22), the 20-year-old opened the scoring at third-tier Fram Larvik in the 33rd minute of the second-round Norwegian Football Cup tie.
WATCH: Singapore's Ikhsan Fandi scores again for Raufoss IL
Alireza Jahanbakhsh of Iran (centre) in action during the 2019 AFC Asian Cup round of 16 soccer match between Iran and Oman in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on Jan 20, 2019.
Jahanbakhsh on target as Iran ease past Oman into last eight
Bangladesh bowling attack exposed for lack of wicket-takers West Indies' fury at 'dodgy' decisions as Australia get rub of the green. "So we have to use our
Ribs Against the Machine - Glendale, CA - yelp.com
Advertisement MUNICH, Apr 25: Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich beat Werder Bremen 3-2 with two goals from Robert Lewandowski on Wednesday to advance to the German Cup final for the second straight year and keep the domestic league and cup double firmly in their sights.
Football: Bayern reach German Cup final to keep double in
MADRID (AFP) - A Spanish court on Wednesday (April 24) acquitted former Barcelona club president Sandro Rosell, who spent nearly two years in pre-trial custody, of money laundering.. Read more at
Spain court acquits former Barcelona president of money
LONDON (AFP) - Manchester City retained the Premier League title in style on Sunday (May 12), holding their nerve to come from behind against Brighton and see off a charging Liverpool after a
Football: Man City batter Brighton to retain Premier League
Qatar coach Felix Sanchez has vowed to "isolate" his players from politics at the Asian Cup, which is taking place in the United Arab Emirates during a diplomatic crisis between the countries.
Qatar Coach to 'Isolate' Team from Gulf Politics at AFC Asian
Mesut Ozil will return to the Arsenal squad for Saturday's Premier League visit of Burnley, with manager Unai Emery saying he believes the midfielder has a future at the Emirates Stadium.
Unai Emery says Mesut Ozil has a future at Arsenal | Football
Chelsea boss Sarri demands more from 'individual' Hazard LONDON: Eden Hazard must deliver more to realise his full potential and help dig Chelsea out of a slump in form, manager Maurizio Sarri
Chelsea boss Sarri demands more from 'individual' Hazard
N'Golo Kante earned Chelsea a 1-0 win at Crystal Palace to boost the Blues' bid for a place in the Premier League's top four. Kante, a World Cup winner with France last summer, has been deployed in a more advanced position on the right side of midfield by Maurizio Sarri at Chelsea. He netted
Crystal Palace 0-1 Chelsea: Lone N'Golo Kante strike secures
Klopp dismisses talk of Liverpool crumbling under pressure. Soccer Football - Premier League - Liverpool v Leicester City - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - January 30, 2019 Liverpool manager
Football: Klopp dismisses talk of Liverpool crumbling under
Harry Kane wants to end career as NFL kicker. England captain Harry Kane has his heart set on ending his playing career in the United States kicking field goals for a team in the National
England captain Harry Kane eyes future as American football
Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa's sportsmanlike decision to allow Aston Villa to score unopposed in Sunday's 1-1 draw with Leeds has been hailed by former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger. Wenger said that the incident was more remarkable given that promotion to the Premier League was at stake for the Championship club.
Wenger hails Leeds' Bielsa for sportsmanship in Villa draw
Abu Dhabi - Iran coach Carlos Queiroz said Friday that he was "honoured" to be courted by Colombia, who want the former Real Madrid boss to join them after the Asian Cup. But the Portuguese, who
Reports: Carlos Queiroz steps down as Iran manager after AFC
Football News: Barcelona have one hand firmly on the La Liga title after winning 2-0 at Alaves on Tuesday, leaving them 12 points clear at the top of the table with
Barcelona on verge of Liga title after beating Alaves - Reuters
Langganan:
Posting Komentar (Atom)
0 komentar:
Posting Komentar