‘Real are in a good moment’
Real Madrid forwards Marco Asensio and Karim Benzema struck to give their side a 2-0 win at home to Eibar in La Liga on Saturday, keeping up the pressure on leaders Atletico Madrid ahead of Tuesday's Champions League clash with Liverpool.
With an eye on the quarter-final first leg at home to Liverpool, coach Zinedine Zidane shuffled his squad to rest defender Raphael Varane while starting without Toni Kroos and Vinicius, handing rare starts to Marcelo and Isco.
Sergio Ramos missed out after picking up an injury on international duty and is set to miss both games against Liverpool as well as next weekend's 'Clasico' at home to Barcelona.
"Today we made a few changes but it didn't affect us at all, we went for the game from the start and in the first half we were spectacular," said Zidane.
"The second half was different because of the storm and we had 20 difficult minutes until we scored the second goal. Now we have to rest well because we have a busy week ahead."
"Now we have to rest and prepare well. We know where we come from, we've suffered a lot this season and now it's time to enjoy."
"We're in a good moment, because the results are good. We defended the goal very well and we're playing well, for us it's important."
"Now we have an important week, with a Champions League game and then a very entertaining league game. We have had difficult moments in the season and now we have to take advantage of this (period) that is good."
Zidane is hopeful of having Eden Hazard fit again in time to face Liverpool in the first leg of their upcoming Champions League quarter-finals tie.
Eden Hazard only returned to first-team action last month but was unlucky to pick up yet another injury, which kept him on the sidelines for another 20 days.
But the international break gave Hazard time to recuperate and he has now returned to full fitness sooner than expected.
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