Carvajal as two of the world's best full-backs after
they helped Real Madrid to a 2-1 victory over
Valencia.
Marcelo struck the winning goal in the 86th minute
after Dani Parejo had cancelled out a Cristiano
Ronaldo header, set up by a sublime Carvajal
cross.
Speaking afterwards, Zidane was full of praise for
his side's unlikely heroes as Madrid snatched yet
another late result to move three points clear of
Barcelona at the top of LaLiga.
"I'd like to secure the result earlier but we know we
can score at any time and with any player," he
said.
"Marcelo and Dani's performances were very good.
They attacked a lot. They are among the top three
or four full-backs in the world.
"When you don't get the second goal, they
[Valencia] can always score, but the result is
deserved. We worked hard and put in a lot of
energy."
Zidane felt Valencia's defensive gameplan made
life difficult but conceded that Madrid should have
made the most of their chances, with Ronaldo
seeing a penalty saved by Diego Alves and Karim
Benzema hitting the post.
"It's worse and even more so when it's against
us," he said of the visitors' approach. "But there
are no excuses. They played their game and we
made it difficult by not scoring the second. We had
a lot of chances; that means we can improve.
"The fans knew we needed a push and they
responded in the best way. The fans helped us to
get the second. That's what this club has."
Isco was surprisingly left on the bench but Zidane
confirmed that he will play some part in Tuesday's
Champions League semi-final first leg against
Atletico Madrid, while Raphael Varane could also
return.
"You'll see him on Tuesday," he said of Isco, who
has three goals and one assist from his last two
league appearances. "It's true that he's playing
really well but he played at the Riazor [against
Deportivo La Coruna on Wednesday]. I have to
think about the group.
"Varane will be available on Tuesday but we have
to be careful. The last time he came back he got
injured and I don't want that to happen again.
There are a lot of important games left."
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