Enzo
The son to legendary footballer and Real Madrid manager scored his first goal in just 18 minutes into his debut game for the club.
Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane said it was “special” for his son Enzo to score a debut goal in Wednesday’s Copa del Rey last 32 second leg 6-1 victory at home to La Cultural y Deportivo Leonesa, while being sure to also praise the collective contribution as his team progressed with a 13-2 aggregate score.
Having gone into the game 7-1 ahead from the first leg, Madrid eased to victory with Mariano Diaz nabbing a hat trick and James Rodriguez also on the scoresheet.
Yeray Gonzalez got one back for the third-tier visitors from long range, and La Cultural defender Cesar Morgado was less fortunate as he wrapped up the scoring with a late own-goal.
Zidane sent on his son Enzo at the break and the 21-year-old attempted a “roulette” turn in his father’s style just five minutes into his first senior competitive game, before within 18 minutes sliding a 20-yarder low past the visiting goalkeeper from the edge of the box.
The Blancos coach told his postmatch news conference at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu that he was happy for his son, but also for other youngsters Martin Odegaard, Alvaro Tejero and Ruben Yanez.
“If I take off my coach’s suit, I am very happy for my son,” Zidane said. “As his coach I am very happy for Odegaard, Alvaro and Ruben too, and for all the players who did great work tonight. Of course when I get home we will talk about it [with Enzo].
“But the team showed a good attitude and intensity tonight, especially considering the 7-1 from the first game. We played a serious game, began strong and achieved what we wanted.”
Regular starters including Cristiano Ronaldo, Sergio Ramos and Luka Modric were rested ahead of Saturday’s Clasico at Barcelona’s Camp Nou — and fit-again holding midfielder Casemiro came through his first game since breaking a leg on Sept. 14 at Espanyol.
“[Casemiro] did well, began a bit with difficulty, but after two months out that was normal,” Zidane said. “Then he got better and better as the game went on. It was important for him to play a full game, and he is physically ready now.
“But when you see our most recent games, in the midfield we are strong, we are doing well. So we will see what we will do on Saturday. We will need everyone.”
Backup striker Mariano has barely featured in La Liga so far this season, but the 23-year-old may now go out on loan in January having showed his quality.
“[Mariano] is a goalscorer for sure,” Zidane said. “I am happy for his three goals, and the work he did. We wanted him to have playing time. After the summer he wanted to stay with us, we will see later what happens in January. He did very well tonight.”
Norwegian starlet Odegaard may also be loaned out in the next transfer window as by then he will be 18 and can move more freely to play in another country.
“That could be [an option], anything could happen, we will look at it later,” Zidane said. “Odegaard tonight showed he has character and personality. He played a good game.”
Zidane said the focus was now on Saturday’s Clasico — although even with Madrid having the chance to go nine points clear of their main rivals, the game would not be decisive in the title race.
“We are just thinking about preparing well for the game,” he said. “Whatever happens it will not be decisive. We have a good game against a very good rival, who will make us suffer for sure. We must be well-prepared. We all need to rest, me the first. From tomorrow we will prepare well.”
The game was not a direct shootout for the 2016 Ballon D’Or between Ronaldo and Barca talisman Lionel Messi, Zidane maintained.
“They are two exceptional players, each one in their own way,” he said. “In our case Cristiano does incredible things, and we hope he continues like that. We will see what he can do on Saturday. I don’t believe there is a debate among the two, as I am very happy with Cristiano, and sure he will win the Ballon D’Or.”
