Zidane demands more at Madrid after shock defeat

Zinedine Zidane bemoaned Real Madrid’s lack of consistency after their unbeaten start to the Primera Liga season came to an end with a shock 1-0 defeat at promoted Real Mallorca on Saturday.

The Balearic Islanders, who were in the relegation zone before the game, had only managed six goals in their opening eight games, but needed just one more to down their illustrious visitors. It was a cracker too, thrashed home in the seventh minute by Lago Junior with his right foot.

Real Madrid, 5-0 winners on their most recent trip to the island in 2012, were without several big names including Luka Modric, Gareth Bale, Toni Kroos and Eden Hazard, but could have no complaints as they failed to function.

Defeat cost Madrid the chance of reclaiming top spot from Barcelona who won earlier in the day and they will have to bounce back quickly with a crucial Champions League clash against Galatasaray tomorrow having picked up only one point in their opening two matches.

Zidane refused to use the absentees as a reason for the loss. “These players are injured, and we have others who are good too. But they must show that every time they play, that they have the level to play for Madrid. Today we didn’t.”

“We must be more consistent if we are to do anything good this year, have more life in our play. Our start to the game was very bad.

“In second half we did not create many clear chances, we lacked a bit of everything today.” It is Mallorca’s third victory since returning to the top flight following a six-year absence. They moved up to 14th with 10 points.