Madrid: Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane closed the exit door on Colombian playmaker James Rodriguez despite leaving the 2014 World Cup’s top scorer on the bench once more for Real’s 2-1 win over Celta Vigo on Saturday.
Rodriguez has fallen down the pecking order at the Bernabeu since Zidane took charge in January with Madrid’s latest sensation Marco Asensio joining the likes of Isco, Toni Kroos and Luka Modric ahead of him for a place in Real’s congested midfield.
However, Zidane insisted Rodriguez will remain in the Spanish capital beyond the transfer deadline on Wednesday with even the Premier League’s cash-rich clubs unlikely to match the reported 80 million euros (Dh329m) Real paid for him after the World Cup two years ago.
Rodriguez only came on for the final 21 minutes as Kroos’s fine long-range effort 10 minutes from time salvaged all three points for the hosts despite the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema from Zidane’s starting line-up through injury.
“I thought James played well. It is not easy to come and have to make the difference,” said Zidane.
“He is going to stay here.”
Kroos’s strike maintained Madrid’s 14-match winning run in La Liga, but victory disguised a sub-standard Real display.
Without Ronaldo and Benzema, Gareth Bale failed to build on his fine start to the campaign with two goals in a 3-0 win at Real Sociedad to start the season.
However, Zidane highlighted the need to win even without shining, particularly with a two-week international break to come.
“It is true that we didn’t shine. In some game we can’t play as we want,” said Zidane.
“We can improve, but I feel calm with how we have started the season. Two league games won and another official game (Uefa Super Cup) won.
“Now there are the international games and many players will leave, but that is something we can’t change.”
And Zidane hailed his players belief to keep going until the end despite being far from their best.
“I am left with the fact the players believed until the end and we achieved what we wanted.”
Spanish international Lucas Vazquez started alongside Rodriguez on the bench and was introduced before his teammate in search of a winner.
And Vazquez was less comprehensive than his coach when questioned whether Rodriguez had played his last game in the white shirt.
“I don’t think it was his last game, but we have to wait and see what happens.”
Alvaro Morata looked to have Real on their way to another three points when he eventually broke Celta’s resistance by smashing home on the hour mark.
Fabian Orellana curled home a spectacular equaliser 24 minutes from time, but Toni Kroos’s sublime low strike in off the inside of the post secured all three points for the hosts 10 minutes from time.
However, it was another former Tottenham Hotspur star in Luka Modric who shone in a tight first half with two long-range efforts that forced Sergio Alvarez into fine saves, while a third effort from the Croatian came back off the bar.
Celta were without both their top scorers from last season with Iago Aspas left on the bench and Nolito having departed for Manchester City.
Theo Bongonda was a constant threat for the visitors, but his fine wing play went unrewarded as former City and Celtic striker John Guideitti failed to get on a series of dangerous crosses to start the second half.
