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Zinedine Zidane doesn't want Real Madrid to rely solely on Cristiano Ronaldo for Bayern Munich tie

The Portuguese has played a pivotal role in Madrid’s European campaign this season, scoring 15 goals so far for the reigning champions

Samuel Lovett
Thursday 19 April 2018 11:04 BST
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Ronaldo's penalty kick against Juventus booked Madrid a place in the last four of the Champions League
Ronaldo's penalty kick against Juventus booked Madrid a place in the last four of the Champions League (Getty)

Zinedine Zidane is hopeful his Real Madrid side won’t rely exclusively on the talent of Cristiano Ronaldo for their two-legged Champions League semi-final against Bayern Munich.

The Portuguese has played a pivotal role in Madrid’s European campaign this season, scoring 15 goals so far for the reigning champions – including the deciding penalty in the side’s quarter-final win over Juventus earlier this month.

Ronaldo was at it again in Madrid’s La Liga clash with Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday night, clinching a late goal to force a 1-1 draw and rescue the side a point.

But with their title defence all but over, Madrid’s best chances of silverware now rest in the Champions League – but Zidane wants other players to step up and deliver as the side chase a third consecutive European title.

“We can think there will be other players as well as Cristiano who could make the difference in Munich,” Zidane told reporters.

“We have to stay focused because it’s a Champions League semi-final and we’re defending our title.”

Zidane added that he was not worried by Real’s recent lack of goals, and stressed that there is no issue with Gareth Bale, who failed to impress after coming on against Bilbao as a second-half substitute.

“Bale hasn’t got any problems. I’ve got 25 players and Bale is one of them. He’s not started and there are others who play and do a good job,” the Frenchman said.

“I’m not worried [about the lack of scoring]. We’ve had chances in the last few games without scoring many but we shouldn’t think too much about it.

“We have to be optimistic, we can’t be looking at and listening to what you’re saying, we’ll concentrate on the positive elements. It’s only been a couple of games. We have to focus on Wednesday’s match to turn this around.”

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