Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane has called for an end to the Spanish giants’ recent poor form but has rubbished any talk of a “crisis”.
After equalling the La Liga record for consecutive victories with 16, Real Madrid have now drawn their last four games in all competitions which includes three in the Spanish top flight.
The reigning Champions League winners looked good for their lead at the top of La Liga three weeks ago but now head into the international break trailing their city rivals, Atletico Madrid.
Zidane, who took over from Rafael Benitez midway through last season, has rubbished talk of a crisis at the club but insisted that their recent form “can’t go on” after a 1-1 draw at home with Eibar.
“It leaves a bad taste. We let our opponents play in the first half,” Zidane said, via Football Espana. “We were better in the second, but lately we’ve started very badly in games.
“We knew they could score and we didn’t close them down. We can’t say it’s a physical problem. The only thing for us now is that our players will go with their national teams and I have to find solutions. We must change this.
“Crisis? No. What we have to do is improve. We can’t go crazy. Something happens when you draw three games in the League. I won’t lose my papers, neither with the players. The only thing I see is that we have to work harder, be more intense early on in games.
“We’re not starting matches with enough intensity. Eibar played well with aggression. It’s the start of the game and we have to correct this.
“We have to put in more intensity into our work, and I’m the first to say so. When our players return from their national team, we have to change. We can’t go on like this.”
Fortunately for Real Madrid boss Zidane, their big rivals Barcelona haven’t started the season in scintillating form either as they suffered a 4-3 defeat away to Celta Vigo on Sunday.
Their second defeat of the season leaves them down in fourth place after seven games and two points behind Real Madrid.
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