Zidane Hails Gareth Bale’s Finishing

New Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane hailed the attitude of his players and the finishing of Gareth Bale after the Welshman’s hat trick along the way to Saturday evening’s 5-0 stroll past Deportivo La Coruna at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu.

Zidane’s fellow Frenchman Karim Benzema started and finished the scoring — with the other three goals from Bale, who had been reported this week to be upset at his dressing room ally Rafa Benitez being replaced earlier in the week.

The mood in the Bernabeu stands was much more positive than during the last few months of Benitez’s ill-starred and short time in charge, with the players on the pitch looking more liberated and confident than in some recent games.

Saturday’s La Liga results sees Madrid stay third, two points off leaders Barcelona, one behind second placed Atletico Madrid, with a game more played than both title rivals.

The new Blancos coach said in his postgame news conference that he was happy with how his players had approached the game, but he was still sure there was plenty of room for improvement.

“What I most liked tonight was the attitude, above all,” Zidane said. “Winning 5-0 it is not easy against a team like La Coruna. I am very happy with the game.

“I liked the attitude, of everyone, those who played, and those who didn’t play.

“From there we will improve, we must improve in many things, and we will do that. We have time for that. We have weeks to work in and we will improve, I am convinced of that.”

Bale was again among his side’s top performers, roving around the Madrid attack and expertly finishing three of his four attempts at goal.

“I am happy with what [Bale] did today,” Zidane said. “It is not easy to score three times in one game. Now he can continue like this.

“The work Gareth must do is the same as everyone. When we don’t have the ball we must be compact and defend. When we have the ball, to open up the pitch, and to play.”