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Zinedine Zidane says Real Madrid had to 'suffer' during comeback win at Bayern Munich

Zinedine Zidane during the La Liga match between Malaga and Real Madrid at Estadio La Rosaleda on April 15, 2018
Image: Zinedine Zidane has led Real Madrid to back-to-back Champions League trophies

Zinedine Zidane said his Real Madrid side had to "suffer" as they came from behind to beat Bayern Munich in the Champions League semi-finals.

Real left themselves on course for a third straight tournament victory with a 2-1 win at the Allianz Arena, on a night where they were regularly second-best but, thanks to a mistake by Bayern defender Rafinha, secured a crucial away victory.

"We had to suffer, but in the end we did it, we got an important result," Zidane said after the game.

"You can't play a Champions League match without suffering. It's a shame we lost Isco, but then Marco came on and made a difference. Everyone has to suffer and work without the ball."

Real were forced to withdraw Dani Carvajal during the second half in Munich, but instead of replacing him with another defender, Zidane put Lucas Vasquez to right-back and brought Karim Benzema off the bench instead.

The manager said he was unaware of the severity of Carvajal's injury after the game, and added: "Vasquez played a fantastic game. He worked a lot and even finished the match at right back.

Marco Asensio celebrates after coming off the bench to give Real Madrid the lead
Image: Marco Asensio's second-half strike gave Real Madrid victory at the Allianz Arena

"With the help of [Luka] Modric, he was even able to control [Franck] Ribery."

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Gareth Bale was again an unused substitute for Real, hours after saying he would be honoured to join opponents Bayern.

But Zidane, who has regularly answered questions over the Welshman's future in recent weeks, said he would still have a part to play before the end of the season.

"I don't know what will happen," he said. "My substitutions, today it was Karim and Marco. It will be a factor for us all season and I have to choose, we have very good players.

"There are still matches left and I can count on Gareth. Those who say that I don't count on him don't tell the truth."

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