Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane stated it’s a struggle to maintain motivation levels at the club with nothing substantial left to play for this season.

With Madrid having been knocked out of the La Liga title race, Copa del Rey, and Champions League all in the space of a week in March, even Zidane’s return as manager in place of the departed Santiago Solari has not sparked an upturn in performances, though the Frenchman has overseen two wins from two games.

Los Blancos struggled to a 3-2 win against Huesca on Sunday, first fighting back from an early deficit to take a 2-1 lead and then needing an 89th-minute winner to avoid being held to a draw at home by the league’s bottom club.

The performance left plenty to desire, admitted Zidane, who had left the club last summer having led Los Merengues to an unprecedented three straight Champions League titles.

“Obviously, we can play much better than we did today. But I’m happy for the victory and the efforts. Huesca deserved more than a defeat,” said Zidane after the game.

“The changes? I tried to build the best possible team to win, and today it was important to make changes after the international break.

“Anyway, it’s impossible to win a title nowadays with just 13 players in your squad. And to make it clear: I’m not trying to keep everybody happy.

“It’s hard to motivate the team when you know you are not going to win any title this season.”

Zidane also explained the decision to select his son, 20-year-old Luca Zidane, in goal ahead of regulars Thibaut Courtois and Keylor Navas.

“I’m happy for Luca’s first victory with Real Madrid,” he added. “Courtois wasn’t fine, and I wanted to give some rest to Keylor. I think everything was all right”.