Thanks to a double from Raphaël Varane, Real Madrid won in extremis 2-1 in Huesca (northern Spain) on behalf of the 22nd day of the Spanish championship.
But the Merengue, who had won only twice in their last five outings, drooled against the last of La Liga.
Real are temporarily back to seven points behind Atlético, leader, who will only play on Monday and widen a three-point gap on Barcelona who move on the lawn of Betis Sevilla this Sunday evening.
Dominating but apathetic in the first half with only one shot on target - Benzema, 33rd - Zidane's players were caught by the throat at the start of the second half, leaving Galan to open the scoring (1-0, 48th).
The coach's rant at the press
In the process, it was very near that the reigning Spanish champion drank the broth.
A sumptuous volley by Mir finished his race on the crossbar of the Belgian goalkeeper, Thibaut Courtois (50th).
After that, however, Benzema, Modric, Asensio and others came to their senses and increased the pressure on the opposing goal.
Without delay, Varane equalized with a head, closely, following a free kick from Benzema badly cleared by the opposing defense (1-1, 55th).
Involved in a number of occasions, the latter has never found the net.
Also, it was Varane who made the decision, pushing with his left foot, up close, a smashed header from Casemiro (84th).
🔝 @raphaelvarane 🔝 # HuescaRealMadrid 1-2 pic.twitter.com/uz4z3GWzsl
- LaLiga (@LaLigaFRA) February 6, 2021
The French defender world champion opens his goal counter this season.
Much to the relief of Zidane, who had thrown a rant on Friday night in front of the press.
"Everyone talks a lot, it's true that the situation is not easy, we haven't won enough matches, but we really want to change this situation and that's what we'll try to do , launched the coach of Real, recently tested positive for Covid.
As soon as we lose or we draw, I have to leave… I'm not happy, and I'm even very upset, because I think I don't deserve such treatment.
Last year, we won La Liga.
We must let us work.
"
Even in the snatch, success in Huesca brings credit to the French technician.
"We are going to fight, and I will be the first, as a coach," he said on Friday evening.
I always said I was lucky to be here and I'm not going to give up.
I was locked up for two weeks, and I was spinning like a caged lion.
I was in a hurry, to get out so that I could say that we will fight until the end.
"