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Zinedine Zidane lauds ‘spectacular’ Real Madrid after Super Cup win vs Barcelona

Real Madrid head coach Zinedine Zidane revelled in his team’s performance against Barcelona in the Super Cup decider.

Updated on: Aug 17, 2017, 13:23:18 IST
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Zinedine Zidane heaped praise on Real Madrid after they claimed yet another trophy, highlighting his team’s “spectacular” first-half performance against Barcelona in the Supercopa de Espana (Super Cup) .

Real Madrid's French coach Zinedine Zidane (L) and Real Madrid's French forward Karim Benzema congratulate each other as they celebrate their Super Cup win vs FC Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, on August 16, 2017. (AFP)
Real Madrid's French coach Zinedine Zidane (L) and Real Madrid's French forward Karim Benzema congratulate each other as they celebrate their Super Cup win vs FC Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, on August 16, 2017. (AFP)

Real Madrid were a class above as the LaLiga and Champions League title holders cruised to a 2-0 victory over their bitter rivals on Wednesday, sealing a 5-1 aggregate triumph.

Barcelona were helpless to stop Madrid, who stormed out of the blocks and took a 2-0 lead into the break thanks to Marco Asensio and Karim Benzema.

Barcelona's Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez look dejected after losing to Real Madrid in the Super Cup decider. (REUTERS)
Barcelona's Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez look dejected after losing to Real Madrid in the Super Cup decider. (REUTERS)

Real Madrid showed their superiority in the opening 45 minutes, toying with Barcelona, and head coach Zinedine Zidane revelled in the display.

“We had to be prepared for the start of the season and in the end, we got two important trophies against two important teams,” Zidane said, having also topped Manchester United in the UEFA Super Cup.

“We have done very well to start the season. We have a lot. It is going to be very difficult but we are happy.

“In the first half, we were spectacular. The intensity and pressure, and possession of the ball. The second half suffered a little because Barca attacked us.”

Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane and Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde on Thursday (REUTERS)
Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane and Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde on Thursday (REUTERS)

Despite the comprehensive scoreline over the two legs, Zidane – who has won seven trophies since his appointment in 2016 – insisted: “There will not be much difference with Barca.

“This starts again in La Liga. It’s going to be a difficult season.”

Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo holds the trophy while celebrating with teammates after winning the Spanish Super Cup against Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid, Thursday. Real Madrid won 5-1 on aggregate. (AP)
Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo holds the trophy while celebrating with teammates after winning the Spanish Super Cup against Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid, Thursday. Real Madrid won 5-1 on aggregate. (AP)

Asensio was at it again at the Santiago Bernabeu, scoring another stunner to send Madrid on their way in the Spanish capital.

The 21-year-old sensation – playing instead of Gareth Bale – also netted a long-range strike in the opening leg last week.

“It is complicated to select the eleven because they are all very good,” the Frenchman added. “They work well and when it comes to making the team is difficult, but they all perform.”

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