Real should have killed off Elche, says frustrated Zidane

COMPLETE SHOTLIST AND SCRIPT TO FOLLOW

VIDEO SHOWS: NEWS CONFERENCE WITH REAL MADRID COACH, ZINEDINE ZIDANE, STILL PHOTOGRAPHS FROM THE MATCH

SHOWS:

ELCHE, SPAIN (DECEMBER 30, 2020) (LA LIGA/MEDIAPRO - FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NO RESALES)

1. REAL MADRID COACH, ZINEDINE ZIDANE ARRIVING FOR NEWS CONFERENCE

2. NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS

3. (SOUNDBITE) (Spainish) REAL MADRID COACH, ZINEDINE ZIDANE, SAYING: (OFFICIAL TRANSLATION)

"Well it's true, based on how we were playing recently, today's draw is possibly not as good a result. I think we had more than enough chances to get the second goal, which would have allowed us to play a bit calmer on the ball and their equaliser made the game a lot more complicated for us as they sat a bit deeper as well and we struggled in the second half. But this is football and I can't say anything really to be honest. We now have to keep working hard. It's two points that when you look at how we played in the first half I think we lost today but we have to keep going forward."

4. NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS

5. (SOUNDBITE) (Spainish) REAL MADRID COACH, ZINEDINE ZIDANE, SAYING: (OFFICIAL TRANSLATION)

REPORTER, ASKING: "Now the team is two points behind Atletico Madrid having played two games more. Now Real Madrid have to have nearly a perfect second half of the La Liga season to try and win the tite."

"But of course everyone has to have a very good second leg of the season and it has to be nearly perfect. I think every single team is going to drop points. It's a very complicated league, it's a very difficult league and I think we're doing things as well. We've had quite a few very good games and today we lost two points but you're mentioning the title and there's still a lot to play. I do think there is still a lot to go."

6. ZIDANE LEAVING AT END OF NEWS CONFERENCE

ELCHE, SPAIN (DECEMBER 30, 2020) (REUTERS PICTURES - ACCESS ALL) (MUTE)

7. STILL PHOTOGRAPH OF ZIDANE STANDING IN HIS TECHNICAL AREA

8. TWO STILL PHOTOGRAPHS OF REAL MADRID MIDFIELDER, LUKA MODRIC CELEBRATING AFTER SCORING THE OPENING GOAL

9. STILL PHOTOGRAPH OF ELCHE'S FIDEL CHAVES STRIKING THE PENALTY TO EQUALISE

10. TWO STILL PHOTOGRAPHS OF CHAVES CELEBRATING

STORY: Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane was annoyed his side could not seal victory after they were held to a 1-1 draw at Elche on Wednesday (December 30) and slipped two points behind La Liga leaders Atletico Madrid.

A Luka Modric header put Real in front in the first half but they failed to build on their advantage and Elche equalised with a Fidel Chaves penalty after the break.

Champions Real had won their previous six matches in all competitions but Zidane dismissed suggestions his side had been complacent against Elche, who are back in the top flight for the first time since 2015.

Next up for Real is a home game against in-form Celta Vigo who have won six of their last seven matches and are unbeaten since Nov. 21.

(Production: Tim Hart)