Monday 16 January 2017 08:38, UK
Zinedine Zidane urged Real Madrid to put the disappointment of a first defeat in 40 games behind them as Sevilla produced a late turnaround to breathe new life into the La Liga title race with a 2-1 win on Sunday.
Zidane's men looked set to extend their commanding lead at the top of the table when Cristiano Ronaldo opened the scoring at the Sanchez Pizjuan from the penalty spot midway through the second-half.
However, Sergio Ramos delighted the home fans by heading into his own net on his return to his former club and substitute Stevan Jovetic curled home a dramatic stoppage-time winner on his La Liga debut as Sevilla closed to within a point of Real.
Ramos received an especially hostile reception on his return to Seville having goaded the Sevilla fans when scoring a late penalty in a 3-3 Copa del Rey draw between the sides on Thursday.
But Zidane rejected any suggestion the defender's concentration had been affected.
"He played great. I am very happy with how he did, he played with personality," Zidane told BeIN Sports in Spain.
"I have to be very proud of them all for what we have done until now.
"We know this was going to happen some day, it is today, and now we have to continue working hard in all competitions."
Ramos was part of an unusual Madrid line-up with three at the back, but Zidane's tactical change had worked well for 85 minutes.
Wing-backs Dani Carvajal and Marcelo were given extra licence to roam forward and it was Carvajal who was chopped down in the area for Ronaldo's opener.
"We did very well with the wing-backs. Dani and Marcelo offered a lot offensively," said Zidane.
"It is a shame. To play like that for 85 minutes and then to lose is hard to take, but that's football."
By contrast, Sevilla coach Jorge Sampaoli claimed his side can cash in on the momentum gained by such a late turnaround to fuel their unlikely title challenge.
"It has to stimulate the team. Playing like this against a team that hadn't lost in so long," said Sampaoli.
"The conclusion to take from the game is that we won it, we are a point behind them and played with great bravery against such a big team."
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