Zidane refuses to use the absentees as excuse for Real Madrid’s loss to Real Mallorca
EDITORS PLEASE NOTE: CONTAINS WHITE FLASH
SHOWS:
PALMA, MALLORCA, SPAIN (OCTOBER 19, 2019) (LA LIGA/MEDIAPRO - NEWS USE ONLY)
1. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) REAL MADRID MANAGER, ZINEDINE ZIDANE, SAYING:
"Yes, but this (absent players) isn't an excuse. These are players who are absent, who are injured, and we have to deal with that. There are other players who are good too. But the only thing we always have to show - every time a player plays they must show that they are at the level to be here and that's it. And today, it was tough for us. But as far as the injured (players), we can't change anything about it."
2. WHITE FLASH
3. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) REAL MADRID MANAGER, ZINEDINE ZIDANE, SAYING:
"The problem is every three days we have to show that we are good. And that's what's been tough for us. That's what we're not doing. You have to have continuity, and that's the truth, because we're at the top. Some things we do well, too. But in all honesty, sometimes we have a game like this one and I'm not going to say I'm worried because I don't like that word, but we have to be more consistent. If we are to do anything good this year, we need more continuity and have more life in our play. We didn't have that today."
STORY: Real Madrid's unbeaten start to the La Liga season came to an abrupt and surprising end as Real Mallorca claimed a stunning 1-0 victory at a rocking Son Moix on Saturday (October 19) to climb out of the relegation zone.
The Balearic Islanders had only managed six goals in their opening eight games of their first season back in the big time, but one was enough to down their illustrious visitors.
It was a cracker too, thrashed home in the seventh minute by Ivorian Lago Junior who with one swing of his right foot wrote his name into Mallorcan sporting folklore alongside tennis great Rafa Nadal who celebrated his wedding earlier.
Real Madrid, 5-0 winners on their most recent trip to the island in 2012, were without several big names including Luka Modric, Gareth Bale, Toni Kroos and Eden Hazard, but could have no complaints as they failed to function.
Defeat cost them the chance of reclaiming top spot from Barcelona who won earlier in the day and they will have to bounce back quickly with a crucial Champions League clash against Galatasaray on Tuesday (October 22) having picked up only one point in their opening two matches.
Disgruntled coach Zinedine Zidane refused to use the absentees as a reason for the loss.
