Every time a big side is up against rather a small side, it is assumed they will win the game comfortably but when it does not happen or when they had to work hard to sustain the win or refrain a defeat, it is often taken as the victory of underdog side who somehow managed to restrict their high profile opponents. Last Champions League faceoff between Sporting Lisbon and Real Madrid was one such game that saw how difficult it can be challenging rather a small side even at the home turf. Match was thoroughly balanced until the last moments of the game but thankfully it was rather Real’s luck to somehow transform the fate of the game in their favor. Actually, hosts were trailing by one goal most of the time and it was the last minute efforts from Cristiano Ronaldo and Alvaro Morata that gave them a decisive lead at the end and looking at their fighting spirit under pressure everyone is pleased to see how their side is performing despite having been trailing on the scorecard.
Coach Zinedine Zidane is obviously more than happy to see his side show at home ground and he described their performance after the game as, “We are Madrid. We know that every game will be difficult. But we also know that in any moment we can make the difference. In a game like today, when it seems it will be difficult, we get the three points. I stick with that — it makes me smile and be relaxed. We cannot win every game 5-0. That does not exist. Today we suffered, but we got the win.
“The fans like it this way. Sometimes they go home and say it was just an easy win. I don’t know if you can say it was a fair result or not. But we knew we could always do something. We showed character, and the effort was tremendous from them all, and they got their reward.”
He accepted they missed the early lead to visitors that derailed their momentum until the last moments of the game, he added, “We didn’t start the game well, but this is Madrid, and at this club and in this stadium anything can happen. Sometimes football is not fair. Today it was not fair, but it was fundamental to win and we did that. Everybody is focused, working hard, and in any moment they can bring something new, something good to the team. When some play better, others worse, there will always be a teammate who can come in. The important thing is I have these players who can make the difference; not every coach has these resources. I have the fortune to have a complete squad.”