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Real Madrid director Emilio Butragueno defends Zinedine Zidane

Real Madrid director Butragueno defends Zinedine Zidane
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Real Madrid director Emilio Butragueno is convinced that Zinedine Zidane will help Los Blancos recover from their shock Copa del Rey defeat to third tier side Alcoyano.

Former Real Madrid striker and director Emilio Butragueno has backed Zinedine Zidane to turn the club's fortunes around.

The Spanish champions were recently dumped out of the Copa del Rey to third tier side Alcoyano, who won 2-1 in extra time despite having a man sent off.

Real Madrid soon recovered from that shock defeat with a 4-1 win over Alaves, although Zidane was absent from the touchline after returning a positive coronavirus test.

Despite Los Blancos's inconsistent form this term, Butragueno still has faith in Zidane, telling Movistar: "Everyone knows what Zidane means to us. What we want is for him to return to us as soon as possible.

"We know what football is like. We have been around for many years. When the team doesn't win we have to listen to comments and rumours of all kinds. You have to be united and work."

Zidane's side currently find themselves second in the La Liga table - four points adrift of La Liga leaders Atletico Madrid, who have two games in hand.

However, the Frenchman's future in the Spanish capital continues to be called into question, with his current Bernabeu deal set to expire in 2022.

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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Atletico MadridAtletico20135234132144
2Real Madrid19134243192443
3Barcelona20123552232939
4Athletic Bilbao20116331181339
5Villarreal198653431330
6Mallorca199371921-230
7Real Sociedad198471713428
8GironaGirona208482827128
9Sevilla207582329-626
10Rayo Vallecano196762222025
11Real BetisBetis206772226-425
12Osasuna196762328-525
13Celta Vigo2073102932-324
14Las PalmasLas Palmas196492429-522
15Leganes205781929-1022
16Getafe204881417-320
17AlavesAlaves2055102432-820
18Espanyol2054111932-1319
19Real ValladolidValladolid2043131439-2515
20Valencia1927101829-1113


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