Zidane praises adaptable Real

Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane credited his side for adapting to a brand new formation with hardly any practice after they beat Getafe 2-0 to move up to second in La Liga on Tuesday.

With nine first team players missing due to injury or suspension, Zidane deployed a 3-4-3 shape which the team had never used before and had barely worked on in training.

"We didn't prepare very much, but a little before the game we spoke about it and how to organise ourselves. The players interpreted it very well," Zidane told reporters after goals from Karim Benzema and Ferland Mendy gave his side victory.

The victory took Zinedine Zidane's side into second in the standings and left them five points below Atletico, who drew 2-2 with Celta Vigo on Monday to end an eight-game winning streak but have two games in hand.

"Considering we we're playing a shape we weren't used to, we put in a good performance and did a good job."

Real were missing four defenders and had no right backs available so Zidane doubled up on the left flank with Marcelo and Mendy, who combined to score their second goal shortly after Benzema had broken the deadlock.

"Our attitude was exemplary, without preparing at all we interpreted the formation very well and that says a lot about our squad," Zidane added. "I don't know if we'll use it again because we have to adapt to whatever situation we find ourselves in, but we did well and I'm happy for the players because what they did today was not easy."