Zinedine Zidane Talks James Rodriguez After Real Madrid's 2-1 Win vs. Sporting

Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane has hailed the contribution of substitute James Rodriguez, as the team produced a dramatic late fightback against Sporting Lisbon in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday.

Los Blancos trailed 1-0 in the 89th minute, before late strikes from Cristiano Ronaldo and Alvaro Morata sent the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium into raptures.

While the aforementioned duo grabbed the headlines for their goals, it was the substitutions made by Zidane that helped tip the game in Real’s favour, including the introduction of Rodriguez, who was linked with a move to Chelsea during the summer transfer window, per Jose Felix Diaz of Marca (translated by Sarah Farrell).

“James has not been starting games, but he can,” said Zidane of the Colombia international, per Dermot Corrigan of ESPN FC. “Not just for the 15 minutes he played today. What I value is the day-to-day work, and James is doing that well. He will get his chances, today he came on and made the difference. I am happy with his performance.”

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Indeed, the former AS Monaco man picked holes in a defence that had previously been watertight up against Madrid’s stellar attack. Rodriguez then provided a sumptuous ball into the penalty area for Morata to grab the winner. Squawka Football summed up the positive impact made by the midfielder:

In recent months, these moments have been scarcely seen from Rodriguez, as he’s fallen down the pecking order under Zidane. Indeed, this season he’s yet to start a game for Madrid in LaLiga or the Champions League.

Yet this was a reminder of just how effective he can be in crucial contests and a throwback to the form that saw him bewitch the Bernabeu in the 2014-15 season. It was the kind of cameo that he’ll feel should thrust him into contention for a starting spot again.

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Aside from the Madrid No. 10, the introductions of Morata and Lucas Vazquez also helped Real secure a foothold in the game. 

“With the changes I wanted the team to do more—the three gave us something,” said Zidane. “…The important thing is I have these players who can make the difference, not every coach has these resources. I have the fortune to have a complete squad where they all feel important.”

As noted by the MisterChip Twitter feed, never before have Real turned a game around so late in a Champions League tie:

“That is what happened tonight,” said the Frenchman. “I know the game was not perfect, but there is never a perfect match. We cannot win every game 5-0.”

Zidane may have an array of talent to call upon from the bench, but he deserves credit for the changes made and for keeping these players who are on the fringes motivated. With so many stars at the club, it can be difficult to ensure all are aligned, although wins like this, where there are various key contributors, will enrich squad morale.

Of course, there will be wider concerns for the coach after Sporting frustrated Real for long spells of the game at the Bernabeu. But after a fine start to the season on the domestic front, this thrilling victory will give all tied to the club a huge momentum boost with some big challenges on the horizon.