We worked on system all week – Isco after Madrid derby triumph

Cristiano Ronaldo scored a hat-trick as Madrid claimed bragging rights over Atletico in Saturday’s derby.

Madrid’s defeat to Atletico last February marked the start of a remarkable run for Zidane’s side, which hasn’t lost in the league since – a run of 23 matches.

Despite that, he still has seven goals in 12 games so far, although three of them came in one match.

“I hope he finishes training today in good shape and to be able to include him in the squad”.

Benzema was in doubt because of a lingering hip problem. Atletico have only conceded eight goals and have kept five clean sheets in 11 LaLiga games this season and Ronaldo has not scored at the Calderon in five games.

But the Real boss refused to admit Ronaldo would be retained as the central striker once Karim Benzema and Alvaro Morata are fit again. He is simply an important player for Atletico and I’m happy for him.

“Above all, he is (all about) quality coaching: just look at how he has taken so many ordinary players and turned them into stars”. He is doing a phenomenal job.

Gareth Bale tries go past Atletico Madrid defender. The other hat trick came in his first season with Madrid in 2012, and he also netted at the venue in 2014. Although they had a shocking draw away to Legia Warsaw in Champions League, they quickly bounced back by giving another Madrid outfits Leganes a 3-0 trashing.

“It was a tough night”, Atletico midfielder Jorge “Koke” Resurreccion said.

Anyone expecting Atletico to take the last derby to be played in the Vicente Calderon by the scruff of the neck was to be disappointed as after weathering a brief initial storm, it was Real who took control.

To break that streak, Zinedine Zidane’s men will have to do deal with the intense adversity at the Vicente Calderon, one of the old-school stadiums of Europe where the home fans passion reaches volcanic levels. I think we have the best players.

The presence of Bale too, who has recently signed a new long-term deal that keeps him at the club until 2022, could help tempt Ramsey to Madrid.

FC’s Paul Mariner credits Real Madrid’s derby win over Atletico as their best showing of this La Liga campaign.