MADRID // Real Madrid must match the intensity of a stunning first 45 minutes urged manager Zinedine Zidane after snapping a four-game draw streak with a 6-1 rout at Real Betis on Saturday.
Zidane's men surrendered top spot on goal difference to city rivals Atletico Madrid with three consecutive Primera Liga draws, along with a point at Borussia Dortmund in the Uefa Champions League, before the international break.
However, a two-week layoff seemed to do the European champions a world of good as they stormed into a 4-0 lead before half time to blow Betis away.
See also:
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• Toni Kroos: Zidane's 'qualities are not in doubt' at Real Madrid
“After four draws we had to have a game like this. We played with the necessary intensity to win,” Zidane said.
“There are no small teams. This is a difficult place to come but we started strongly and it is tough for the opponent when we play like that.”
Zidane had slammed his side’s slow starts earlier this season, in particular in dropping points at home to Basque minnows Eibar last time out.
“They are intelligent, good players. They know we have to start in that manner and they did well.
“When we play with the intensity required it makes it very difficult for the opponent.
“We have worked on that, but we need to be consistent. This match is a reference point.”
Victory took Madrid back level with Atletico at the top after their neighbours went one better in a 7-1 thrashing of Granada earlier on Saturday.
And Zidane insists big wins for Atletico, Barcelona and Sevilla that saw Madrid slip to fourth before kick off had not played an extra motivating factor in their sudden return to form.
“You can have a look and see what is happening, but that is independent of what we have to do,” he added.
“We have the obligation to give everything in every game we play. We are all satisfied, but we must continue like this.”
Raphael Varane got Madrid off to the perfect start when he headed home Toni Kroos’s free kick after just four minutes.
“The intensity we started with made everything a lot easier,” Varane said.
“We have spoken a lot in the past few days about improving that aspect of our play and everyone responded well today.”
Karim Benzema slotted home the second from another Kroos assist before Marcelo added a third.
It was Madrid’s fourth, though, that stole the show as a sweeping team move involving five players stormed from a Betis corner all the way down the other end of the field in seconds before Isco tapped into an empty net.
“I will watch it again and enjoy it,” said a smiling Zidane.
Alvaro Cejudo pulled a goal back for Betis at the start of the second half, but a stunning strike from Isco and Cristiano Ronaldo rounded off the scoring.
“I needed a game like that. I needed a little bit of confidence and that will come with more minutes,” said Isco, who was making a rare start in the absence of the injured Luka Modric and James Rodriguez.
“I still don’t have full match fitness, but I hope to keep improving bit-by-bit.”
RESULTS
Friday
• Las Palmas 0 Espanyol 0
Saturday
• Leganes 2 Sevilla 3
• Barcelona 4 Deportivo la Coruna 0
• Atletico Madrid 7 Granada 1
• Real Betis 1 Real Madrid 6
FIXTURES
Sunday (All times UAE)
• Alaves v Malaga, 2pm
• Athletic Bilbao v Real Sociedad, 5.15pm
• Sporting Gijón v Valencia, 7.30pm
• Villarreal v Celta Vigo, 9.45pm
Monday
• Eibar v Osasun, 9.45pm
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
The specs
Engine: 2-litre or 3-litre 4Motion all-wheel-drive Power: 250Nm (2-litre); 340 (3-litre) Torque: 450Nm Transmission: 8-speed automatic Starting price: From Dh212,000 On sale: Now
FFP EXPLAINED
What is Financial Fair Play?
Introduced in 2011 by Uefa, European football’s governing body, it demands that clubs live within their means. Chiefly, spend within their income and not make substantial losses.
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Jigra
Starring: Alia Bhatt, Vedang Raina, Manoj Pahwa, Harsh Singh
COMPANY PROFILE
Initial investment: Undisclosed
Investment stage: Series A
Investors: Core42
Current number of staff: 47
The specs
Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
Torque: 583Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh192,500
On sale: Now
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The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
PROFILE OF INVYGO
Started: 2018
Founders: Eslam Hussein and Pulkit Ganjoo
Based: Dubai
Sector: Transport
Size: 9 employees
Investment: $1,275,000
Investors: Class 5 Global, Equitrust, Gulf Islamic Investments, Kairos K50 and William Zeqiri
Dhadak
Director: Shashank Khaitan
Starring: Janhvi Kapoor, Ishaan Khattar, Ashutosh Rana
Stars: 3
Best Academy: Ajax and Benfica
Best Agent: Jorge Mendes
Best Club : Liverpool
Best Coach: Jurgen Klopp (Liverpool)
Best Goalkeeper: Alisson Becker
Best Men’s Player: Cristiano Ronaldo
Best Partnership of the Year Award by SportBusiness: Manchester City and SAP
Best Referee: Stephanie Frappart
Best Revelation Player: Joao Felix (Atletico Madrid and Portugal)
Best Sporting Director: Andrea Berta (Atletico Madrid)
Best Women's Player: Lucy Bronze
Best Young Arab Player: Achraf Hakimi
Kooora – Best Arab Club: Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia)
Kooora – Best Arab Player: Abderrazak Hamdallah (Al-Nassr FC, Saudi Arabia)
Player Career Award: Miralem Pjanic and Ryan Giggs
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The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylturbo
Transmission: seven-speed DSG automatic
Power: 242bhp
Torque: 370Nm
Price: Dh136,814