Zinedine Zidane urges Cristiano Ronaldo patience

Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane has played down concerns over the form of star striker Cristiano Ronaldo.

The 31-year-old has scored just two league goals so far this season and has at times struggled to replicate his prolific form from recent campaigns.

Instead it was down to Alvaro Morata to win the match for Madrid against Athletic Bilbao on Sunday night, and Zidane confirmed that the Spaniard will get more first-team opportunities in the future.

"Ronaldo lacked very little. Getting chances is the most difficult thing in football. He needs to show patience; if he does not score today, he will tomorrow," he told reporters.

"Morata will get more playing time. We should be patient, keep working together and he will get minutes like everyone else."

Sunday's win took Madrid to the top of the table, although just three points separate the top five teams.