Real Madrid coach
Zinedine Zidane praised Cristiano Ronaldo for
his double show of solidarity with Karim
Benzema after the Portuguese allowed the
Frenchman to take a penalty in the 4-0 win
over Alaves on Saturday and asked fans to
show him respect.
Benzema has been one of the main
scapegoats for Real’s inconsistent campaign
and has felt the wrath of the highly critical
Santiago Bernabeu faithful on several
occasions this season for his wastefulness in
front of goal.
Benzema set up Ronaldo’s opening goal
against Alaves with a stylish backheel and the
first thing Real’s all-time top scorer did after
finding the net was to point towards
Benzema, appearing to ask the supporters to
show him more respect.
Ronaldo scored Real’s third goal after Gareth
Bale had struck the second — also created by
a pass from Benzema — and the Portuguese
had a chance to bag a hat-trick when his side
were awarded a late penalty.
Instead Ronaldo presented the spot-kick to
Benzema, who rounded off the scoring.
“I’m very happy with Ronaldo’s gesture. This
is a team game and it was a wonderful
gesture. Karim played very well and he
deserved to score as he contributed so much
in our build-up play,” Zidane told a news
conference.
“Benzema plays under a lot of pressure but he
handles it very well, and I’m delighted with
how he played and that he scored. You should
always count on Benzema and in the biggest
games he always demonstrated what a great
player he is.”
Benzema had snapped a run of nearly three
months without a league goal by scoring
against Real Betis last weekend and although
he squandered a couple of chances he was
one of Real’s best performers in what was a
fifth consecutive win in all competitions for
Zidane’s side.
“Cristiano showed true team spirit with Karim,
who really deserved a goal. I’m delighted for
Karim because he’s a phenomenal player,”
added Real winger Lucas Vazquez.
Five-times world player of the year Ronaldo
has not always had a reputation for humility
but goalkeeper Keylor Navas said the
Portuguese’s treatment of Benzema was
befitting of his character.
“None of us were surprised by Cristiano’s
gesture because we know what type of
person he is,” Navas said.
“At times like this everyone needs the support
of the group and Cristiano has shown
everyone what we are like in the dressing
room.”