Zinedine Zidane insists misfiring striker Luka Jovic can still become a success at Real Madrid.
Madrid cruised past Real Zaragoza 4-0 and into the Copa del Rey quarter-finals, but Serbia hitman Jovic’s drought extended to 11 matches.
The 21-year-old has just one goal in 22 Real appearances since his £54m transfer from Eintracht Frankfurt last summer.
And despite another fruitless goal hunt as Real cruised home at La Romareda, Real boss Zidane still insists he has faith in the highly-rated Jovic.
“He does not disconnect from the games, but I would like a goal for him,” said Zidane. “He must continue working and the goal will come. He has just arrived, even though it is six months. He is 21 years old. He knows he has to work.
“He knows there are many important players and one day it will come in handy to remember this moment.”
Raphael Varane, Lucas Vazquez, Vinicius Junior and Karim Benzema hit the net as Real Madrid extended their unbeaten streak to 20 matches in all competitions.
Benzema broke a six-game scoring duck in completing Madrid’s dominant victory, in slotting his 17th goal of the campaign.
Left-back Marcelo toasted his 500th Real Madrid appearance as his side eased through to the last eight.
Zidane hailed Real’s clean sheet as just as important as his side extending their unbeaten run.
“We are fine, what we want is to keep doing things right,” said Zidane. “Each match is an exam for us. We are doing very well against a rival who is doing very well in his division. Defensively we did not concede.”
Toni Kroos laid on two assists, leaving Zidane pleased with the Germany midfielder leading by example.
“It is an example, it is very good,” said Zidane. “But what also should be highlighted is the work of the whole team. In the end for a coach I saw a complete match by everyone. We can change players, but in the end they do well. I’m glad for those players who play a little less.”
Zaragoza boss Victor Fernandez hailed the club’s fans for putting on a “brutal” show as La Romareda was full to capacity for Madrid’s visit.
He said: “The fans have been brutal. People have recognised that we have fought with honour and dignity and the last 15 minutes excited me a lot. The mysticism of La Romareda is our hallmark and nobody is going to take it from us.”
PA
