MX23RW : Sunday, November 24 10:00:28| >> :120:5879:5879:

Zinedine Zidane: 'Alaves win could be pivotal in La Liga title race'

Zinedine Zidane: 'Alaves win could be pivotal in La Liga title race'
© Reuters
Los Blancos responded after Alaves had hauled themselves level from the penalty spot.

Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane feels his side's battling 2-1 win at Alaves could prove an important victory in their quest for the LaLiga title.

With the rain driving down at the Mendizorrotza Stadium, Los Blancos took the lead through captain Sergio Ramos early in the second half.

The defender, though, then conceded a needless penalty when he caught Joselu in the face with his trailing arm, and Lucas Perez equalised from the spot.

Real Madrid dug deep to get themselves back in front when Dani Carvajal bundled the ball in from close range after Isco's header hit the post.

Alaves forced a string of corners during the closing moments, as Perez's point-blank effort was blocked and then a header from Manu Garcia was saved by stand-in goalkeeper Alphonse Areola.

Zidane's side move three points clear of Barcelona, who are away at Atletico Madrid on Sunday.

The Real Madrid boss believes the performance against Alaves may yet prove a key result.

Real Madrid's Dani Carvajal (centre) celebrates
Real Madrid recovered quickly after captain Sergio Ramos (right) gave away a penalty (Alvaro Barrientos/AP)

"It is clear that winning a match like today is important. A difficult pitch, with a rival who was doing well," the Real Madrid coach said.

"The league is long, but this is a very important three points, especially with how the game went.

"After they equalised, we had to suffer, but we played with lots of personality and were really focused. We knew that we had to fight and we did it."

Zidane added at a press conference: "Today can be a benchmark in the sense that we want to continue to grow.

"Now we have peace of mind to continue working because things have just begun. There is a lot left in the league and a lot left in the season also."

Zidane opted for a few changes following the midweek Champions League match against Paris St Germain, where the French champions fought back with two late goals to draw 2-2 at the Bernabeu.

Gareth Bale was drafted in for a first start since early October, while Areola replaced first-choice goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois with Luka Modric also returning to the team. Eden Hazard, though, continues to nurse an ankle problem.

"We play every three days and today I have made this choice, and the players have responded well," Zidane said.

"The important thing is that they are all plugged in and that is what they are showing me every week."

Alaves coach Asier Garitano felt his side had done enough to take something from the match.

"We thought we were going to have been able to add something positive against Real Madrid," he told a press conference, as reported by Marca.

"After the equaliser, I thought we were going to go on to more, but our opponents punished us with the second goal.

"We played a good game, but we are leaving empty handed."

ID:381208: cacheID:381208:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:7744:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Borussia Dortmund's Jadon Sancho leaves the pitch after he is substituted on November 5, 2019
Read Next:
Saturday's Real Madrid transfer talk: Sancho, Zidane
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
6pm
Vikings
@
Bears
6pm
Lions
@
Colts
6pm
Patriots
@
Dolphins
6pm
Buccaneers
@
Giants
6pm
Chiefs
@
Panthers
6pm
Titans
@
Texans
6pm
Cowboys
@
Washington
9.05pm
Broncos
@
Raiders
9.25pm
49ers
@
Packers
9.25pm
Cardinals
@
Seahawks
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona14111242142834
2Atletico MadridAtletico148512181329
3Real Madrid1283125111427
4Villarreal127322319424
5GironaGirona146352018221
6Mallorca146351312121
7Osasuna136341720-321
8Athletic Bilbao135531913620
9Real BetisBetis145541616020
10Real Sociedad135351110118
11Celta Vigo145362224-218
12Rayo Vallecano124441313016
13Sevilla134361218-615
14Leganes133551316-314
15Getafe142751011-113
16AlavesAlaves144191524-913
17Las PalmasLas Palmas143381825-712
18Valencia122461219-710
19Espanyol133191226-1410
20Real ValladolidValladolid142391027-179


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!