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Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane will not request striker signing

Zidane will not request striker signing
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Zinedine Zidane says that he is "happy" with the performance levels of each of his Real Madrid players, as he leaps to the defence of misfiring striker Karim Benzema.

Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane has defended the form of Karim Benzema and claimed that he is "not going to ask" for a new striker to be recruited in January.

Los Blancos have been strongly linked with Inter Milan ace Mauro Icardi in the build-up to the winter window, as they reportedly seek a replacement for misfiring Benzema.

The 29-year-old has netted just four goals in 14 La Liga and Champions League appearances, while also failing to take his chances in Wednesday's 2-1 win against Al Jazira Club in the Club World Cup semi-finals.

With a couple of weeks to go until the transfer window reopens, however, Zidane has again attempted to play down talk of a replacement striker being sought.

"I'm not going to ask for it [a signing] at all," he told reporters. "Karim is fine, he has not scored. You can always give an opinion, it seems that Karim has to always score, he has played well, he has moved well, he and Cristiano [Ronaldo].

"I'm a little disappointed because he wanted to score, I'm happy with everyone's game. Yes, we have suffered, but it happens in football - sometimes [the ball] does not want to go in and we have to play with this from time to time."

Ronaldo and the returning Gareth Bale scored for Madrid against Al Jazira to book a place in this weekend's final.

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Gareth Bale during the Champions League match between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid on May 28, 2016
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Real Madrid32256170224881
2Barcelona32217464372770
3GironaGirona32215667402768
4Atletico MadridAtletico32194959382161
5Athletic Bilbao321610652302258
6Real Sociedad321312746341251
7Real BetisBetis32121284038248
8Valencia32138113534147
9Villarreal32119125155-442
10Getafe32913103844-640
11Osasuna32116153746-939
12Sevilla32910134145-437
13Las PalmasLas Palmas32107153039-937
14AlavesAlaves3298152838-1035
15Rayo Vallecano32713122739-1234
16Celta Vigo32710153747-1031
17Mallorca32613132638-1231
18CadizCadiz32413152245-2325
19Granada3239203361-2818
20Almeria32111203164-3314


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