An under-strength Real Madrid crushed Deportivo La Coruna 6-2 to pull level on points with Barcelona at the top of La Liga on Wednesday.
Isco ran the show for Los Blancos in Galicia, and got on the score-sheet along with James Rodriguez, who hit a brace, Alvaro Morata, Lucas Vazquez and substitute Casemiro.
With Sergio Ramos suspended and Gareth Bale injured, Zinedine Zidane made nine changes for the trip to the Riazor, but Madrid’s reserves made light work of Depor, for whom Florin Andone and Joselu scored consolation goals.
Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and the injured Gareth Bale were left out of the Madrid squad for a third straight away league game, but again their absence wasn’t missed.
“It is the hardest job for a coach. When they play like they did today, and then maybe they won’t play in the next game,” said Zidane.
“We know I have a phenomenal group of players, and all of them are ready for the challenge between now and the end of the season.”
Madrid have 78 points from 33 games, while Barcelona have the same tally, having played 34, after their 7-1 win earlier over Osasuna, who were relegated after Leganes’ 3-0 triumph over Las Palmas.