Karim Benzema on target against Getafe as Zinedine Zidane insists Real Madrid can still win La Liga
Zinedine Zidane insisted Real Madrid will not give up in the La Liga title race after their 2-0 win over Getafe.
Second-half goals from Karim Benzema and Ferland Mendy at the Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium lifted the champions three points clear of Barcelona into outright second in the table.
They remain five points behind leaders Atletico Madrid and have now played two games more than their city rivals, but Zidane says the fight will go on.
"I don't think the Madrid fans believe that we won't win La Liga," said the Frenchman. "They always believe that we can turn things around."
"That's what we'll try to do, even though it might be difficult. We believe in ourselves. There are a lot of games to go and it's all still to play for."
Los Blancos were weakened by the absence of a number of players through injury and played full-backs Mendy and Nacho in a makeshift back three, but came up against a Getafe side who posed little threat.
Zidane's long list of absentees includes Sergio Ramos, Eden Hazard, Eder Militao, Alvaro Odriozola, Lucas Vazquez, Fede Valverde, Dani Carvajal, Toni Kroos and Rodrygo.
Zidane said: "We used this system to adapt to the situation, given that we've got a lot of players out. We managed the game well without having worked on it that much."
"I'm pleased for the players because they performed really well defensively. Our attitude was exemplary out there."
"We're just going about our business. There are 48 points to play for and we're just going to keep focusing on ourselves. We have to fight, keep working hard and not look what anyone else is doing."
The victory came a day after Atletico stumbled to a 2-2 home draw against Celta Vigo to see its eight-game winning streak end. Madrid, trying to repeat as league champion for the first time since 2007-08, moved closer to the top but its city rival remained with two games in hand.
“We are playing in our own league, we are in our own path,” Benzema said. “Each match is a final for us. We can’t let points slip away, we have to win every match.”
Madrid has been recovering from a difficult start to the year, when it endured disappointing results that included an embarrassing exit to third-division club Alcoyano in the round of 32 of the Copa del Rey.
Fighting wind and rain in tricky conditions on Tuesday, Madrid controlled possession but struggled to capitalize on its scoring opportunities against Getafe.
Benzema broke the deadlock with a header in the 60th minute after a well-placed cross by Vinicius Junior from the right flank. Benzema, who has 16 goals this season, had already hit the crossbar with a header early in the match.
Mendy added to the lead in the 66th by completing a left-side cross by Marcelo, who was playing in a more advanced position as Zidane lacked other options.