Zinedine Zidane insists Cristiano Ronaldo needed a rest after substitution during Madrid derby

Zinedine Zidane has defended his decision to substitute Cristiano Ronaldo during Real Madrid’s 1-1 draw with Atletico Madrid.

Real’s talisman put his side ahead early in the second half, but was hauled off just after the hour mark.

Antoine Griezmann had drawn his side level by the time Ronaldo was substituted and the player looked far from happy as he made his way to the bench.

The supporters inside the Bernabeu too looked baffled at the call, but Zidane has insisted his star man needed a break.

‘Cristiano is Cristiano, he has been this player all his life, scoring 50 goals a season,’ he said.

‘It is true that there is nobody else who does that. But others can score, have done recently, and we must think about the positives.

‘It’s better to have Cristiano with us. It was just [to rest]. We have many games, that’s it.

‘Sometimes he needs to rest. These days he needs that. He feels better every day, you can see it.’

The goal against Atletico was Ronaldo’s 605th career goal and his 20th strike in ten games.

Ronaldo and Real are back in action on Wednesday night when they take on Juventus in the Champions League.

Real take a 3-0 advantage into the second leg of the quarter-final and are expected to cruise into the last four.