Zidane’s got Bale’s back
NAPLES, Italy — Zinedine Zidane refused to criticize Gareth Bale as 11-time winner Real Madrid recovered from its dismal first half to end Napoli’s Champions League quarterfinal hopes with a clinical 3-1 win at San Paolo stadium on Tuesday.
Bale returned to Real’s starting lineup alongside Cristiano Ronaldo for the second leg of the last-16 clash after missing a 4-1 La Liga win at Eibar last weekend through suspension.
But the Welshman was just one of several Real players left in the shadows by a spirited Napoli side bent on overcoming a 3-1 first-leg deficit to the Spanish giant.
Maurizio Sarri’s men had 11 shots in the opening period, the most Real had seen in a Champions League game since facing 15 against Juventus in 2013.
However, Madrid manager Zidane was quick to brush off claims Bale had not performed his defensive duties.
“I don’t agree at all,” said Zidane. “In the first half, none of us played well.”
Real advanced 6-2 on aggregate and will go into the hat for Friday’s quarterfinal draw hoping for a slice of fortune as it aims to become European champion for the 12th time.
But Zidane, who had captain Sergio Ramos to thank for giving Real a 2-1 lead in the 57 th minute after Dries Mertens’ superb 24 th-minute opener for the host, said he expects improvements.
“We obviously have to do better. We knew the start here against Napoli would be hard, it’s a hard stadium to play at,” added Zidane, who played against the Azzurri on several occasions during a five-year spell at Juventus.
“We suffered a lot in the opening half, we didn’t get to play the way we had planned. In the second half we did a lot better, and I’m happy with the win.
“The fact two of our goals came from corners doesn’t matter. It’s all part of the game.”
Sarri had warned of the threat from the “world’s richest club, with the best players” a day earlier. And Zidane’s squad looked much more determined in the second half.
When Napoli captain Marek Hamsik gave away possession minutes after the restart, a dangerous Toni Kroos cross to the back post was cleared by the head of Mertens for a corner.
Spain international Ramos then powered home a header from Kroos’ corner delivery to deliver a huge blow to the host’s hopes.
Ramos revered
Napoli’s dream died six minutes later when Kroos delivered again from the flag and Ramos’ glancing nearpost header came off Mertens to leave home goalkeeper Pepe Reina rooted to the spot.
Sarri could only sing Ramos’ praises.
“He’s world class at deadball situations,” he said.
“He scores seven or eight goals a year like that. It doesn’t matter whether you man-mark him or use zonal marking, the problem is not just him.”
Sarri, who led Napoli to runner-up spot in Serie A behind Juventus last year and inspired Gonzalo Higuain to a new league record of 36 goals, was buoyed by his side’s performance.
However, he said his players were outmuscled by their fitter Real counterparts.
“It’s pretty clear that, in physical terms, we’re lacking something compared to teams like Real,” the Italian said.
“In the opening half we managed to keep them away from our own penalty area a lot and that compensated somewhat.
“But in the second half, it was more difficult.”
Napoli saw late claims for a penalty waved away after Belgium international Mertens, who has fired 18 Serie A goals this term, was felled in the box.
But the damage had already been done, and Napoli was forced to endure more woe in the first minute of added time when former Juve striker Alvaro Morata came off the bench to tally the visitor’s third after ex-Liverpool stopper Reina bobbled a Ronaldo strike.