Zinedine Zidane 'gutted' after late Borussia Dortmund strike denies Real Madrid
Wednesday 28 September 2016 00:11, UK
Zinedine Zidane said he was "gutted for his players" after Andre Schurrle's last-gasp goal saw Borussia Dortmund earn a 2-2 with Real Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday night.
The holders had appeared on course for their first-ever win at the Westfalenstadion, until the Germany international struck with just three minutes left to play.
However, despite throwing away the lead late on to draw for the third game in a row, the Madrid head coach was still pleased with the point that sees his side sit joint top of Group F with Dortmund.
"I am gutted for the players, we didn't deserve that," said the Frenchman. "In the end it's not a bad result but, playing like that, gutted.
"We are, and I am, frustrated. We played a good game in attack and defence and it was a great effort from everyone. We played the game we wanted.
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"At the end, the same again, it's the third match. I'm frustrated for the players because it's undeserved.
"It's not a bad result, but playing like we did, with chances we had and being 2-1 up with three minutes to go...
"We played well from the first to the 90th minute. If they get a goal right at the end... Sometimes in football you go on a bad run but we'll get through it.
"The tough thing is telling the players that they deserved better from the game. With the effort they put in on the pitch, it's difficult to find the words for them. But they're intelligent and we're going to rest up, prepare the next match and turn this around."
Zidane reserved special praise for goalkeeper Keylor Navas, back after a four-month injury layoff, for keeping his side in the game at times with a string of impressive saves.
"He's been out for four months and I thought he did well," he said. "He's got the character to play at any stadium and he put in a good performance.
"The goal was unlucky and these things happen. I'm very pleased with his display."
And looking forward, Zidane was also confident Los Blancos would soon end their three-match winless run.
"In the game against Las Palmas, we lacked concentration, but not today," he said. "Today we did what we needed to from minute one until minute 90.
"We struggled a bit in the first half with their pressure, but that's normal at this ground. It's not a problem, we'll carry on and we're going to change this."