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Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane insists that his team are not in a crisis despite a fourth successive stalemate against mid-table Eibar at home.
This is the first time since 2006 that the Madrid side has been on such a run, but Zidane remains defiant and insists it’s still early days to come to conclusions.
“This is just October, we cannot go crazy. Something is happening for sure — four draws in a row, especially the three in La Liga.” – Zinedine Zidane, 2nd October 2016.
The Santiago Bernabeu side fell behind to a goal from Fran Rico – a former member of the side’s academy but equalised a few minutes later through Welshman Gareth Bale, as he headed in Cristiano Ronaldo’s fine cross. But they failed to put on any pressure on the Eibar side and had to settle for a point at home.
Zidane’s men drew against Villareal and Las Palmas in previous La Liga games before going on to settle for a stalemate against German side Borussia Dortmund at the Westfalenstadion in the UEFA Champions League. They currently sit in second place in Spain’s top division, level on points with local rivals Atletico Madrid, but have a worse goal difference. They are, however, ahead of Barcelona who lost a 7 -goal thriller away at Celta Vigo.
Zidane also refused to put the blame on the recent injury problems going on at the club for the poor form. Croatian Luka Modric was the most recent casualty after he underwent knee surgery. He joins the likes of Marcelo, Casemiro and Keylor Navas on the treatment table.
Further problems awaited the club as both Raphael Varane and Karim Benzema were taken off at half-time due to knee problems as well. While Varane’s injury was just a slight knock, Zidane explained that Benzema would require tests on his knee.
Madrid return to La Liga action after the international break with an away game against Real Betis at the Estadio Benito Villamarin, hoping to overtake Atletico in the league who face Granada at the Vicente Calderon.
