Zinedine Zidane will not rest Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema as Los Blancons continue in their quest to retain their La Liga Santander title.
Los Blancos won 2-0 over Celta Vigo at the Estadio Alfredo Stefano on Saturday with Benzema lasting 90 minutes on the pitch before his place was taken by Mariano Diaz.
Benzema failed to muster a single shot on goal and twice missed the target from good positions leading to suggestions that his exertions so far this term may have resulted to fatigue.
The 33-year-old has started 15 of Madrid’s 17 LaLiga matches this season and only goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and Raphael Varane have played more minutes.
When asked in a post-match media conference if Benzema, who has scored eight goals in LaLiga, needed a break, following a slightly jaded showing, Zidane disagreed.
“I don’t think he’s tired,” Zidane said.”I think he did well and I took him off so that another player could play. We’re in a great spell. We’re doing the right things and we have to continue like this.”
Eden Hazard came off the bench for another run out late in the second half against Celta as he stepped up his return from an injury-hit start to the season.
“We are going to go little by little (with Hazard),” added Zidane. “Little by little, you have to recover feelings.
“We have to take it slowly and not force anything. He has to get back to his best and take it slowly. That’s all it is.”
Madrid’s possession against Celta was 41 per cent which was the lowest recorded in a win under Zidane at home in all competitions.
The Madrid head coach was, however, satisfied with the manner in which his side were able to manage the game against Celta.
“We played a complete game from the beginning to the end,” Zidane explained.
“We controlled the game well, we had a good balance, when it came to pressing up and getting the ball back, we did everything well.
“You have to control when the rival team has strong moments in the game, but the feelings are good, out of nine games we won six and three draws.”
Goals from Lucas Vazquez and Marco Asensio gave Madrid the victory as the pair assisted each other in what was the fourth duo to combine between them in a single LaLiga game this season.
Zidane added: “I am happy for Asensio. He has had a major injury and now he is much better and improving every time.
“Vazquez is very reliable, very involved and I am happy for what he is doing. We played a very serious game. I’m happy for everyone.”
