Zidane: "We deserve the criticism, me first"

Three days after the general collapse against Cádiz and at the start of the first key week of the course, Zidane appeared in his usual laconic version.

The French coach avoided, of course, making excuses for the trigger last Saturday: "We deserve the criticism the other day, I was the first," he said at the press conference prior to Wednesday's game against Shakhtar (18.55, Movistar Liga Champions) and with the Camp Nou on the next horizon (this Saturday).

“Sometimes there are days when things don't work out.

We are going to try to change the dynamics from tomorrow.

This team has shown that, in difficult moments, it is good ”, he commented.

"But there will also be criticisms winning," he warned.

The disappointing performance against the people of Cádiz remains perched like a cloud above Valdebebas.

The white coach effortlessly assumed the blame and closed ranks when he was questioned about a specific name, for example Isco.

“I have no doubts with him.

We can talk about everyone after the other day.

From me the first ”, he settled.

The coach recognized that they can "do things better at this start" and assured that they will.

But also, implicitly, he referred to the heavy defeats that other big teams have suffered at this start of the season.

"All teams have difficulties," he dropped.

Without naming names, he alluded, for example, to Liverpool's 7-2 against Aston Villa, United's 1-6 against Tottenham and Bayern's 4-1 against Hoffenheim.

As if the unsatisfactory start of yours was part of this set.

Perhaps where Madrid's problems are most noticeable is in defense, and there, as the last and for the moment effective dam, is Courtois, who appeared before the

of the dressing room.

"I feel the team is just as solid," said the Belgian goalkeeper.

“It's not easy to break lines against teams that play with the low block.

You have to put many footballers in front of the ball and, after a steal or a failure in the pass, there is a backlash.

They haven't scored many goals for us.

Out of five games, we kept a clean sheet in three.

We are doing well.

Nothing happens to receive one more shot, "explained the goal when asked why his team suffers 2.4 more shots each duel than in the decisive phase of the previous season.

“It's not always like last year's games, where we were shot once.

It is modern football ”, he added.

"Hazard's injury was more than anticipated"

In that defense, their leader, Sergio Ramos, will be missing this Wednesday due to the blow to his left knee that he took against Cádiz.

"He has annoyances and we do not want to risk," said Zidane before announcing the call.

The absence of the Sevillian center-back in a European match invites, at least, concern, because in the last three important events that the plot was not there, it ended in drama: against Ajax (1-4), PSG (3-0) and City (2-1).

ZZ was also asked about another missing, this long-standing one: Hazard, whose return does not seem immediate after suffering a muscle injury three weeks ago in the general set-up process and his battered right ankle.

“The injury was more than expected.

I trust the people who work here and I hope we see it shortly, and forever.

Let him come in and stay with us all season ”.

The Belgian is on the way to a year that does not chain several matches in optimal physical condition.

His landing 16 months ago at the Bernabéu seemed decisive in a team that has now lost two years in a row in the second round of the Champions League.

He did it against Ajax and City, two teams that represent well the dominant style on the continent: high pace for 90 minutes.

"Football has changed physically, the intensity is high," said the coach. "To play like this you have to train hard and well.

I am in favor of that, of going for the game, pressing up and we know that we can hurt our opponents like that.

There is another thought that is to play further back, but it is not mine.

Although to press up you have to be prepared ... very prepared, "he said as a warning.

For now, his first test in this Champions League is Shakhtar, who arrived in Madrid with ten players who have just passed the coronavirus.