Saturday 30 April 2016 20:38, UK
Zinedine Zidane said Gareth Bale could be as important for Real Madrid as Cristiano Ronaldo after he scored the winner at Real Sociedad on Saturday.
The Wales international scored his 19th goal of the season in the 1-0 win, despite making only 20 starts this season due to a series of fitness concerns.
Ronaldo missed the game due to a thigh injury and remains a doubt for Wednesday's Champions League semi-final second leg against Manchester City, while fellow forward Karim Benzema was also out injured.
But Real boss Zidane backed Bale to lead the line after scoring the goal which keeps their title hopes alive.
"Bale has had problems but he could be like Cristiano and play many games," Zidane said.
"It was great to see a player of his importance score a goal ahead of Wednesday. I'm happy for him. He's had a lot of injury problems but I'm very happy to see him play 90 minutes.
"It means that every player is important, they deliver when they play and it's important to know that I have 20 or 21 players who are always ready to play.
"When we play every three days it's always difficult but everyone plays and everyone delivers, and that's the best thing about this team."
Zidane made five changes to the team that drew 0-0 with City last week and his side looked to be heading for another goalless draw until Bale nodded in Lucas Vazquez's cross with 10 minutes remaining.
"We had to suffer and that's what the players did. We were up against a difficult opponent but I'm happy with the work we did and to pick up the points," he added.
Defender Sergio Ramos insists Real Madrid can still win the title this season and will not give up on their pursuit of Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, who started the weekend ahead of them.
He said: "The team were playing for our lives, we didn't have much luck with the chances we created but we kept on insisting. It was a final, we're playing for the league title and we had to keep the pressure on.
"As long as we have a chance we have to fight and sacrifice a lot.
"It's an exciting end to the league season. We would like to be in a different position but now we have to wait and hope that the others slip up."
