Zinedine Zidane taking positives despite Atletico Madrid's 3-7 debacle

Still reeling from the massive loss, the Madrid boss had strong words for his players but expressed optimism ahead of the new season

Speaking to reporters post the shocking 3-7 loss to Atletico in their final friendly in the International Champions Cup, Zinedine Zidane was visibly disappointed at the lack of effort from Madrid to reinforce themselves into the game. 

Zidane replied "What happened is that we entered the game very badly. A high-level competition, we entered very badly."

The Frenchman added "At eight minutes we were down 2-0. There was no response from us to change something. The first part was difficult. We never entered the game. We have lacked everything. Especially intensity."

He replied citing events that unfurled as goals from new signing Joao Felix and Angel Correa in addition to a hat-trick from Diego Costa meant Atletico romped to 5-0 in the first half itself. 

Match Highlights: Real Madrid 3-7 Atletico Madrid

In the second half, Costa added his fourth and striker Vitolo rounded off the scoring to end Madrid's miserable night which would've ended ignominiously had it not been for goals from Nacho, Karim Benzema and academy graduate Javier Carrera giving Real some respectability on the scoresheet.

Things only got worse for Los Blancos as right-back Dani Carvajal was sent off in the 65th minute having got into an altercation with Diego Costa post which the Atletico striker was also sent-off in a characteristic derby potboiler. 

Having not won a single game in pre-season, Real is presumably still in a process of rebuilding but Zidane expressed satisfaction in the way the players have prepared for the new season and is confident of a turnaround in fortunes come the new campaign.

"We will be motivated. I have no doubts about that. Our season is going to be good. I am convinced," were the words of the boss when asked about Madrid's chances in the upcoming season.  

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Madrid will now move to Munich where they will participate in the Audi Cup as they end their pre-season campaign with the final friendly against RB Salzburg on August 7.

The 13-time European champions kick-off their season against Celta Vigo at the Estadio Balaidos on August 17 in their bid to put the failures of the previous campaign behind them.