Bale, Benzema and Ronaldo is what I prefer – Zidane committed to Madrid front three

Zinedine Zidane insists playing all-star forward line Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo together gives Real Madrid the best chance of glory this season.

The acclaimed 'BBC' trio lined up as Madrid came from behind to secure a 3-1 win at Napoli on Tuesday, progressing to the quarter-finals of the Champions League by a 6-2 aggregate margin.

However, none of them were on the scoresheet and their status at the Santiago Bernabeu has come under threat this season.

Four-time Ballon d'Or winner Ronaldo increasingly appears to be more at home in central areas as opposed to out on the flank, while Bale endured a lengthy spell on the sidelines following ankle tendon surgery.

The Wales star's absence led Zidane to experiment with different starting formations – 4-4-2 proving more successful than one deploying three centre-backs.

Meanwhile, there have been increasing calls for Alvaro Morata to replace Benzema as a starting striker, with the Frenchman only netting three goals in LaLiga since the turn of the year.

"Bale, Benzema and Ronaldo could pay with the four in midfield, but I prefer with three up front," said Zidane ahead of Sunday's LaLiga match with Real Betis, where the issue of Madrid's best starting formation was repeatedly raised.

"Of course, Bale can drop into the midfield four, but I prefer the three up front. What do you [the reporter] prefer, why?