Zinedine Zidane reveals Real Madrid’s biggest problem in defeat to PSG

Real Madrid suffered a devastating 3-0 defeat at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday night to get their Champions League campaign off to the worst possible start, following which Zidane pointed to his team’s lack of intensity as their biggest problem.

An Angel di Maria double plus a late third from Thomas Meunier saw Thomas Tuchel’s side take all three points at the Parc des Princes.

Real Madrid boss Zidane pulled no punches as he lay bare the faults of his Galacticos.

“They (PSG) were better than us in every department, in the play, in midfield, and the thing that annoys me most is the intensity,” Zidane said.

“It’s difficult if you don’t start strongly.

“They’re good at creating chances, that’s not what worries me, it’s seeing my team without the necessary intensity at the high level of this competition.

“We knew they were going to press us, but we barely made any impact on the game and we created few chances.

“We scored two goals but they were ruled out by VAR.”

Former Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois did not cover himself in glory for any of the three goals scored by a PSG team without Neymar, Mbappe and Cavani. Courtois was one of Real Madrid players that struggled to perform.

However, Zidane refused to blame his goalkeeper for any of the goals.

“We’re all in the same boat here, I’m not going to single anyone out,” he said.

“We have to forget this defeat and focus on the next match, the blame is on everyone when you lose.”

When asked what was the club’s biggest problem, Zidane was convinced that the lack of intensity was the main problem.

“I think it’s the intensity,” he said.

“When there is a loose ball and you put your foot in and you can win duels, [then] you can win matches.

“That’s the problem for me.”

PSG were without Neymar, Kylian Mbappe and Edinson Cavani for the game. Yet Madrid still fell flat despite Eden Hazard starting his first Champions League game in France.

“They were better and they deserved the win and we were worse,” Zidane said.

“If the rhythm isn’t good, it’s very complicated, they pressed us well.”