This archive report was first published on 6 July 2020.
Published on July 6, 2020, Real Madrid head coach Zinedine Zidane has expressed frustration over claims that his team's success is due to favourable refereeing decisions.
Real Madrid's recent 1-0 win over Athletic Bilbao, courtesy of a Sergio Ramos penalty, has sparked debate over the role of refereeing in the team's success.
Los Blancos have won each of their seven games since La Liga resumed last month, and now hold a seven-point advantage over Barcelona.
However, Zidane has rubbished claims that Real Madrid's surge to the top of the table is due to marginal refereeing calls.
"It's easy to...talk about controversies but that's not the case, we are doing phenomenally well. We are giving everything on the pitch and we deserve everything we are achieving," Zidane said in a virtual press conference.
"I don't like to get involved in these discussions but what I cannot accept is hearing that we are top of the table because of referees' decisions. We deserve more respect for what we are doing and I'm tired of people saying we are winning because of referees," he added.
Real Madrid's defensive solidity has been a key factor in their recent success, with Zidane praising his team's ability to defend together as a unit.
