Zinedine Zidane has admitted that his Real Madrid side need time for recovery after their 2-1 win over Barcelona at the Estadio Di Stefano on Saturday.
The victory comes just four days after beating Liverpool at the same place and another four days before they take on Jurgen Klopp‘s side at Anfield.
Saturday’s win over Barcelona takes Los Blancos to the top of LaLiga Santander for the first time since Matchday 5.
“It doesn’t change anything, there’s still a long way to go,” Zidane said on being top.
“We have to rest after today. It’s been two gruelling games. Now we have to rest.
“I don’t know how we’re going to finish the season.
“Physically, we’re at our limit.”
Even during the second half of El Clasico, Zidane took the opportunity to rest some of his key players.
“I’m happy for the players,” Zidane said.
“We made lots of changes today. Mariano, [Alvaro] Odriozola, Isco, Marcelo…
“Everyone is committed. Everyone wants to play.
“That’s what’s good about this team.
“We’re all together here. I’m the one responsible, but I’m happy for them [the players].
“We won together.”
Zidane‘s counterpart, Ronald Koeman, voiced his frustration at the lack of a penalty given to his side for a challenge from Ferland Mendy on Martin Braithwaite.
“Everyone has their own feelings,” Zidane said.
“I think that, if the referee didn’t give a penalty, it’s because it’s not a penalty.
“The important thing is what we did on the pitch today.
“We suffered because Barcelona are a great team.
“You can’t say that it was the referee [who decided the game].”
