Zidane not sold on Ronaldo as number nine despite derby hat-trick

Zinedine Zidane cautioned that his Real Madrid side had “won nothing yet” after the 3-0 triumph at local rivals Atletico Madrid, though he also said there was “no debate” that Cristiano Ronaldo deserves the Ballon d’Or after his hat trick.

It will be very important for Real Madrid to match Atletico Madrid’s intensity, contrary to what has happened during the last few matches against them at the Vicente Calderon.

“We played a great game against a complicated opponent in a stadium where it’s hard to win”, Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane said.

Whilst Real are injury-ravaged without four key players in Pepe, Casemiro, Toni Kroos and Alvaro Morata, Atletico hope to be at full-strength should top-scorer Antoine Griezmann shake off a bruised left foot to start.

Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone insists there is no reason to panic following their humbling 3-0 derby defeat to Real Madrid on Saturday.

Atletico will bid a sad farewell to the Calderon in the summer when moving to a new 67,000-capacity La Peineta home, but they would be truly delighted to say goodbye to Ronaldo.

“It’s a very important victory for us at a hard ground”.

“The most handsome game against Madrid that I remember is the final of the Copa at the Bernabeu”, he added.

Madrid’s gap to Atletico increased to nine points, putting the rival’s title chances in jeopardy after only 12 matches.

BARCELONA, SPAIN – SEPTEMBER 18: Karim Benzema (L) celebrates with his team mate Lucas Vazquez of Real Madrid CF after scoring his team’s second goal during the La Liga match between RCD Espanyol and Real Madrid CF at the RCDE stadium on September 18, 2016 in Barcelona, Spain.

“We’ve never played with relaxation or without respecting our opponents”, the Coach said at a Press conference.

Atletico midfielder Koke felt the scoreline was harsh on his side.

Madrid leads the league and has a six-point advantage over fourth-place Atletico.

The best guess would be Isco and Mateo Kovacic joining Luka Modric in midfield, a trio that we’ve only really seen in games against weak opposition.

Griezmann’s whereabouts over the next year hinges heavily on one man – Diego Simeone.

“They [Madrid] played as they always do, except that this time Cristiano Ronaldo was up top”.

The aforementioned Champions League final was the last battle between these two, with Real winning 5-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw.