Zidane defends Real Madrid youngsters after shock draw with third-tier Fuenlabrada

The Blancos could only muster a stalemate at home to unfancied opponents but their manager was upbeat post-match after progressing in the Copa del Rey

Zinedine Zidane said he is not upset with Real Madrid’s performance after the Spanish and European champions were held to a 2-2 draw by third-tier side Fuenlabrada in the Copa del Rey.

Madrid progressed to the last 16 with a 4-2 aggregate win but Zidane’s men were forced to dig deep against the unheralded visitors in the second-leg fixture at the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday.

Madrid 16/5 to win La Liga

Article continues below

Editors' Picks

Sarri vindicated for dropping Kepa as Chelsea & Pedro impress in Spurs win Magnificent Mane takes centre stage as league leaders Liverpool put on a five-star show Lukaku sends reminder that his Man Utd career is far from over Man City monitoring Barcelona & Chelsea target Jovic

Fuenlabrada took a deserved 25th-minute lead thanks to Luis Milla’s stunner in the Spanish capital – where Gareth Bale returned from injury – before a quick-fire brace from Borja Mayoral in the second half allayed fears around the stadium.

Alvaro Portilla struck at the death to secure a memorable draw for Fuenlabrada but head coach Zidane, who named the youngest team of his Madrid reign, was upbeat post-match.

“I’m not upset at all, it was foreseen,” Zidane told reporters. “It’s not easy for the players, there were homegrown players.

“I’m happy to advance in the tie, the opponent played a very good game. The important thing is the tie and we passed.”

Zidane added: “People can say what they want, but they also saw their players fight until the end.

“There were players who had not played together. The opponent does not have a level of Segunda B. Fuenlabrada are a good team.

“I’m looking at my players, those who were on the field, in the second half we did it well, I’m happy,.”