Real Madrid: Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane said Friday he will find room to accommodate Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema as well as sparkling Spanish duo Marco Asensio and Isco this season as he looks to create a versatile, unpredictable side.
Forwards Benzema and Bale received the bulk of criticism from supporters and Spanish media for misfiring when Real Madrid drew 2-2 with Valencia before the international break, with Asensio salvaging a point with a late free-kick.
Asensio has scored four goals in four domestic games this season while Isco built on his stunning recent form with Madrid with three goals in two games for Spain in their World Cup qualifiers against Italy and Liechtenstein.
Zidane, however, said he has no plans to stick with one fixed formation this campaign, leaving the door open to playing the old ‘BBC’ attacking trio of Bale, Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo one week, while fielding attacking midfielders Asensio and Isco the next.
“Those two (Isco and Asensio) have always been important to me, those two and everyone else. The players and the shape are going to change all the time, and the fundamental thing is that the players feel important,” Zidane told a news conference here Friday ahead of his side’s game with Levante, Saturday.
The Frenchman praised Asensio, 21, for continuing to make strides at Real Madrid, although warned him against becoming complacent. “I’m not surprised by Asensio, what he brings to the team is phenomenal, but we have to leave him in peace,” Zidane pointed out.
“He needs to stay calm and keep his head down. He hasn’t reached his limit yet, but he needs to stay humble, which he is, but we need to stop making so much noise about him,” added the Frenchman.
Zidane also backed record signing Bale, who was booed off the pitch by fans against Valencia, to prove his doubters wrong. “No player is happy when he gets booed but I think he’s doing well, he’s not as bad as people are saying. He’s going to have a very good year,” the manager asserted.
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