Zidane to face selection headache ahead of CL final
Zinedine Zidane acknowledged he has a Champions League final selection headache after his Real Madrid side routed Celta Vigo 6-0 at the Bernabeu.
Gareth Bale and Isco both pressed their cases for starting places against Liverpool in Kiev on May 26, PA Sport reported.
Bale scored twice – making it seven goals in nine games – while Isco matched the Welshman’s stunning second with a wonderful individual effort from the other side of the penalty area.
“It’s better to have everyone plugged in,” Zidane said at his postmatch press conference.
“Then of course it will be a headache to select the team for the final.
“We had a great game and that was important. We were very professional, scoring six goals and playing a lot of football. We did very well.”
Bale has often incurred the wrath of Madridistas, especially when his impact has been affected by injuries.
But the 28-year-old received a warm ovation when he was substituted after 71 minutes, his double taking his league tally for the season to 15.
“He is very good, he has shown that,” Zidane said. “He was good at everything. I am happy for him. But the important thing is that we all arrive in optimal form.”
Goalkeeper Keylor Navas was another in the spotlight with Liverpool on the horizon. Navas made some important saves at 0-0 and earned praise from his French manager.
“I’m happy for him, for all the plaudits he has received,” Zidane said. “He saved us two or three times against Celta. It gives us hope when Keylor can do this kind of thing. “He is a very important player.” Real’s emphatic victory leaves the Spanish giant three points behind second-placed Atletico Madrid going into the final weekend of the season.
Atletico kept its advantage by winning 1-0 at Getafe, but Diego Simeone’s side know they cannot afford to falter at home to Eibar next weekend.
That is because Real – which concludes its season at Villarreal – has a vastly superior goal difference to its city rival.