Zidane calm ahead of Malaga game despite recent defeats

Real Madrid coach Zinedine remains calm despite two defeats in a week which brought his club's 40-game unbeaten run to an abrupt halt.

Real Madrid's 2-1 defeat in Sevilla last weekend has thrown the race for the Liga Santander title open once again, while their 2-1 King's Cup defeat to Celta Vigo means their hopes of a treble this season hang by a thread.

Now Zidane's side have the chance to get back to winning ways when they entertain Malaga in the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Zidane is missing right back Dani Carvajal who has a hamstring injury that will sideline him for a month, while Gareth Bale is still a long-term absentee and James Rodriguez is putting the finishing touches to his recovery from a calf strain.

"The good thing is that we have a game tomorrow to change things after the two defeats," said Zidane in his pre-game press conference.

After assuring Madrid had to attack from the start, the coach brushed away talk of crisis.

"Nothing's fallen apart," he commented, admitting that although Sevilla and Celta had "put Madrid into difficulties," his side had to show personality and "keep going."

"I would have liked to keep winning but it was a good time to lose ... Now we'll regain confidence and continue," he insisted.

Zidane also defended Cristiano Ronaldo, who has been criticized after two more disappointing performances.

"Cristiano will always be criticized when he doesn't score, but he is still a player who makes a difference," he insisted. Endit