Flying Welshman: Zidane urges Bale to maintain form

Midfielder nets thrice in 5-0 win over Deportivo in Real boss’ debut game


Afp January 11, 2016
Bale is enjoying arguably his best form in Real colours as he guided Los Blancos to a 5-0 win over Deportivo by netting a hat-trick — his second in four games. PHOTO: AFP

MADRID: Zinedine Zidane has urged Gareth Bale to maintain his sensational form after the Welshman got the Frenchman’s reign as Real Madrid boss off to a flying start with a hat-trick in a 5-0 demolition of Deportivo la Coruna on Saturday.

Madrid moved to within two points of La Liga leaders Barcelona on Zidane’s bow in senior management at the Santiago Bernabeu as Bale registered his second hat-trick in four games in between Karim Benzema’s double.

Bale now has 10 goals to his name in his last seven outings for Madrid and his display dismissed suggestions that he had been disappointed by Rafael Benitez’s unceremonious sacking after just seven months in the job earlier in the week.

However, Zidane focused on the former Spurs man’s defensive duties as well as his finishing in arguably Bale’s best run of form since joining Madrid three years ago.

“Gareth has to do the same as everyone else. When we don’t have the ball he has to defend, then when we have to he can open the game up and play on the wing,” said Zidane. “That is what he did today. I am happy with his contribution. It isn’t easy to score three goals and we hope he continues like that.”

Zidane’s appointment as the club’s 11th coach in 12 years under club president Florentino Perez was criticised in some quarters due to his lack of managerial experience.

Despite a legendary playing career, Zidane’s only previous coaching role was with Madrid’s feeder team Castilla in the Spanish third tier for the past 18 months.



However, his promotion to the top job at the Bernabeu has been a popular one, with Zidane fondly remembered from his five years as a player at the club, most notably scoring a sensational winning goal in the 2002 Champions League final.

And in stark contrast to Benitez’s final days in charge, there was an air of optimism around a packed Bernabeu as the fans braved the freezing January temperatures.

Messi is unique, says Enrique

Barcelona boss Luis Enrique hailed Lionel Messi as ‘unique’ after the Argentine netted his first hat-trick of the season to move Barcelona back to the top of La Liga by cruising past Granada 4-0 on Saturday.

Messi effectively ended the contest within the first 15 minutes with two easy finishes before completing his hat-trick after the break to take his tally to 12 goals in 10 games since returning from knee ligament damage in November, while Neymar completed the rout late on.

“He is a unique and unrepeatable player,” said Enrique. “It is evident there is the collective objective that attracts him, motivates him and continues to motivate him year after year. Then there is the particular individual objective these types of players have to continue beating records and continue being the best.”

Published in The Express Tribune, January 11th, 2016.

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