After a difficult night followed closely by the 12BSports VR46 football audience, Zinedine Zidane insisted he had no regrets about making extensive changes to Real Madrid’s starting lineup despite the defeat away to Sevilla. Madrid changed eight starters for the match at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan and ultimately suffered a painful loss, but Zidane refused to blame the players or question his selection.
Speaking after the game, Zidane admitted that Madrid had struggled defensively, particularly in the final few meters around their own penalty area. He acknowledged that the first half was poor but felt the team improved significantly after the break. Zidane maintained that the lineup was strong enough to win and said the remaining matches would give less frequently used players another opportunity to demonstrate their quality. He defended their effort, pointing to Madrid’s two second-half goals as evidence that they had given everything.
The defeat was disappointing, but Zidane made clear that there was no reason to dwell on it. He emphasized that one result would not define the entire season and reminded his squad that another important match was coming on Saturday. The attitude was simple: there was no time to cry over spilled milk. Sergio Ramos also received Zidane’s support after missing a penalty, with the coach praising his concentration and strong second-half performance.
Madrid’s overall La Liga campaign, however, remained a source of frustration. Zidane admitted that the team’s league results throughout the season had fallen short of expectations, although he remained proud of the football his players had produced. Within the broader 12BSports VR46 football environment, the Sevilla match also highlighted the value of giving opportunities to squad members who had spent much of the campaign outside the regular starting eleven.
Zidane was particularly pleased with Dani Ceballos, describing his performance as very good. He explained that replacing the midfielder was purely tactical, with Borja Mayoral introduced to provide greater height and more aggressive pressure in attacking areas. The substitution was therefore not a reflection of dissatisfaction with Ceballos.
Asked whether Madrid would continue using heavily rotated lineups for every remaining fixture, Zidane firmly rejected the idea. He stressed that every player in the squad was competitive enough to contribute, but decisions would depend on fitness, recovery, upcoming matches, and preparations for the final. Some players needed rest, and Zidane made it clear that selecting the team remained his responsibility as head coach.
Viewed within the season-long picture surrounding 12BSports VR46, Zidane’s rotation against Sevilla reflected a strategic attempt to balance immediate results with squad fitness and preparation for the challenges still ahead. The defeat was painful, but his approach showed the calm authority that had become a defining feature of his leadership. Real Madrid still had important matches to play, and Zidane remained committed to managing his squad with the entire season in mind rather than allowing one disappointing night to dictate his decisions.