Zidane making sure entire Madrid squad stays motivated

It's been difficult to understand some of Zinedine Zidane's lineup decisions at Real Madrid recently.

The player who scores a hat trick in one game sits out the next. The one who looks like a regular starter at one point suddenly is pushed to the sidelines for an extended period.

It's all part of a bigger plan by the coach, though, one to have the squad the entire squad motivated and fully committed for when the decisive moments of the season arrive.

"I want everyone to show that they are ready," Zidane said after the team's 4-0 rout of Eibar in the Spanish league on Saturday.

"I have to manage the squad, and make sure that all the players feel they are an important part of this team. This is how I think we can achieve big things. With 12 or 13 players you can succeed for some time, but not over a longer period."
KUBO THRIVES
"I'm happy that we got the win and that it came with me scoring a goal," Kubo said. "I didn't get off to a good start in the match, lost some balls, but eventually things started going well."
VALENCIA'S INJURIES
SCORING BATTLE