Zidane seeks quick solution to Real collapse

MADRID: Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane insists he is responsible for the European champions’ back-to-back defeats as they look to return to winning ways when Malaga visit the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday.

Madrid hadn’t lost in 40 matches in all competitions stretching back nine months until conceding twice to lose 2-1 at Sevilla last weekend, and followed that up with a shock defeat by the same scoreline at home to Celta Vigo in the first leg of their Copa del Rey quarter-final on Wednesday.

Zidane played down his concern, but admitted “something is wrong for sure” after Madrid lost on home soil for the first time in 11 months and just the second time since he took charge.

“I am the one responsible for this and I have to look for the solution,” said the Frenchman.

Worryingly for Zidane, Madrid’s lacklustre display in midweek came about despite the fact he picked almost a full strength side.

Karim Benzema looks set to return up front and Keylor Navas will replace Kiko Casilla in goal.

However, with first- choice rightback Dani Carvajal out injured for a month, Zidane may have to move captain Sergio Ramos or Nacho wide to avoid handing the hapless Danilo, who was jeered by the Real fans on Wednesday, another start.

Malaga are suffering a slump of their own with new coach Marcelo Romero yet to pick up a point in two games since former Spurs boss Juande Ramos resigned during the winter break.

Top scorer Sandro Ramirez is expected to be out till March through injury, whi lst the on- loan Diego Llorente can’t feature this weekend against his parent club.

A return to winning ways will allow Madrid to open up a fourpoint lead at the top of the table before Sevilla have the chance to cut the gap, or even go top should Real slip-up once more, when they travel to bottom-placed Osasuna on Sunday.

Sevilla are in stunning form having won thei r last four league games, but will have to do without the influential Vitolo for up to a month with the Spanish international sidelined by a hamstring injury. — AFP