Real Madrid manager, Zinedine Zidane, has stated why he substituted Cristiano Ronaldo, during Real Madrid’s 1-1 draw with Atletico Madrid.
Ronaldo put his side ahead early in the second half, but was hauled off just after the hour mark.
Atleti forward, Antoine Griezmann had equalized for Diego Simeone’s side before Ronaldo was substituted and the Portugal captain looked far from happy as he made his way to the bench.
The substitution also shocked supporters at the Bernabeu, but Zidane insisted his star man needed a break.
He said, “Cristiano is Cristiano, he has been this player all his life, scoring 50 goals a season.
“It is true that there is nobody else who does that. But others can score, have done recently, and we must think about the positives.
“It’s better to have Cristiano with us. It was just [to rest]. We have many games, that’s it. ‘Sometimes he needs to rest.
“These days he needs that. He feels better every day, you can see it.’’
The goal against Atletico was Ronaldo’s 605th career goal and his 20th strike in ten games.
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