Zinedine Zidane has defended playing his son Luca in Real Madrid’s last-gasp win over Huesca on Sunday.
With Thibaut Courtois ruled out through injury and Keylor Navas deemed too tired after the international break, young goalkeeper Luca made his first competitive start of the season.
He conceded after just three minutes as Real came from behind to beat Huesca, LaLiga’s bottom club, 3-2 at the Bernabeu.
Karim Benzema’s 89th-minute winner cancelled out Xabier Etxeita’s second-half equaliser to give Zidane his second win in as many games since returning to the club as manager.
Zidane said: “I was not picking my son, but a player in Real Madrid’s squad.
“I see him as one other player for the team. I am happy for him, for his debut here, with a victory.
“But that is Luca, he is the third keeper. Thibaut (Courtois) was out and I wanted to give Keylor (Navas) a rest after playing with his country. It came out well.”
Zidane won three Champions League titles in a row before leaving the Spanish capital last summer, but is now back at the helm and does not have the chance to add to his silverware this season.
Real, who are third in the table and 12 points off the top, suffered a humiliating Champions League exit to Ajax and were knocked out of the Copa del Rey by arch rivals Barcelona.
Zidane added: “At a team like Madrid, when you know you will not win a trophy, it is difficult, in moments during games.
“That is normal. But we are all pros here and will try and finish the season as well as possible – motivation is intrinsic and each player has their own.”
talksport.com