Real not quite ready to give up on Rodriguez
Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane closed the exit door on Colombian playmaker James Rodriguez despite again leaving the 2014 World Cup’s top scorer on the bench for Sunday’s 2-1 win over Celta Vigo.
Rodriguez has fallen down Real’s pecking since Zidane took charge in January, with Madrid’s latest sensation Mar- co Asensio joining the likes of Isco, Toni Kroos and Luka Modric ahead of him for a place in a congested midfield.
But Zidane said Rodriguez will remain in the Spanish capital beyond the transfer deadline on Wednesday, with even the Premier League’s cash-rich clubs unlikely to match the reported $90 million Real paid for him after the World Cup two years ago.
Rodriguez only came on for the final 21 minutes as Kroos’ fine long-range effort 10 minutes from time salvaged all three points for the host despite the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema from Zidane’s starting lineup through injury.
“I thought James played well; it is not easy to come in and have to make the difference,” said Zidane. “He is going to stay here.”
Kroos’ strike extended Madrid’s La Liga winning streak to 14 games, but the victory disguised a sub-standard Real display.
Without Ronaldo and Benzema, Gareth Bale failed to build on his fine start to the campaign with two goals in a 3-0 win at Real Sociedad to start the season.
However, Zidane highlighted the need to win even without shining, particularly with a two-week break to come.
“It is true that we didn’t shine. In some game we can’t play as we want,” said the manager.
“We can improve, but I feel calm with how we have started the season. Two league games won and another official game (UEFA Super Cup) won.
“Now there are the international games and many play- ers will leave, but that is something we can’t change.”
Zidane hailed his players belief to keep going until the final whistle despite being far from their best.
“I am left with the fact the players believed until the end and we achieved what we wanted,” he said.
“We only played a so-so match, but we believed until the very end. And Celta is a very good team.’’