Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane said that hard work was the most important thing driving his team to keep up their 100 percent La Liga record after a 2-0 win at Espanyol on Sunday evening.
The victory equalled the all-time record for consecutive victories in Spain's top division. Madrid were far from their best but James Rodriguez's 25-yard effort put them ahead just before half-time and Karim Benzema's finish of a super team move on 71 minutes sealed the result which returned Madrid to the top of the Primera Division standings.
The 16th straight La Liga win [including last season] equals the all-time record set by Pep Guardiola's Barcelona side in 2010-11, and the Los Blancos coach told his postmatch news conference at Cornella-El Prat that he was happy with the recognition of the collective effort which his talented individuals were putting into every game.
"It's nice to get the record -- it comes from the work all the lads are doing, they're doing phenomenally well," Zidane said. "The most important is to keep picking up points, as La Liga is very long.
"These are players with talent, and can make an individual difference, as James and Karim did today. But the most important thing is the work they put in all together. We had some problems at the start, but overall we put in a good performance."
Rested galacticos Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale were not missed against an Espanyol side still looking for their first win of the season, and Madrid's last 11 La Liga goals have now been scored by 11 different players.
"We'll keep going with the rotations," Zidane said. "When it works, as the coach of this team, you can only be happy. One comes out and another goes in and does really well. We know we have 24 quality players and can rotate them. We will have 60 games this season, playing every three days, so we need to change players in every game."
Real's €80 million summer 2014 signing, James marked his first start of the season by firing low to the net from 25 yards to open the scoring, before being replaced by fit again Isco midway through the second half.
"I'm very [pleased] with James' performance -- not just for the goal, but also for the work he puts in," Zidane said. "He played in the centre, behind Karim, as a No. 10. He did it well."
Holding midfielder Casemiro was withdrawn early after picking up a knock, making him a doubt for Wednesday night's La Liga clash at home to Villarreal at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu.
"We'll see -- he took a heavy knock," Zidane said. "We are playing in a few days. We will have to see how he is tomorrow, if he is better."