Real Madrid coach Zidane knew defeat was coming

Three days after scoring a late equaliser against Sevilla to extend their run to 40 games without defeat, they received a taste of their own medicine as a late Stevan Jovetic strike saw the same opponents snatch a dramatic 2-1 win.

Real coach Zinedine Zidane did not appear too downbeat afterwards, claiming that he knew a defeat would come at some point and that his side just have to keep doing what has brought them so much recent success.

“Five minutes. I think we had a great match, both teams did, we only needed five minutes more. It’s hard, after the game we played a defeat is a bit tough, but that’s it. Its football and you have to accept it. We need to go on with what we were doing until now; we knew this would happen one day.

“We need to be motivated to continue. We knew this was going to happen one day. From now to the end of the season it’s going to be difficult, we’re facing more difficult games. It’s a pity to concede two goals in the last five minutes but we have to accept it,” the Madrid boss said.

Cristiano Ronaldo had given the away side an early lead with a penalty, before captain Sergio Ramos headed through his own net, much to the delight of the Sevilla fans.

“I’m very proud of our captain, he had a great game. The own goal, I don’t know if it was Sergio, but it’s okay, this is football. He has played great, with character, and now we must congratulate Sevilla and think about the next match.

“Today the first and the second placed teams played each other, we have seen a great performance from both teams, Sevilla are going to be in the title fight, that’s for sure,” Zidane added.

Jovetic then scored a last-gasp winner to move the home side up to second in the table, a point behind Madrid, having played a game more.