Though Real Madrid ultimately finished second, Zinedine Zidane said he was proud of his team for challenging winners Barcelona until the end of the season.

After Saturday's 2-0 win at Deportivo La Coruna, Madrid finished with 90 points, one shy of Barcelona.

Los Blancos showed improvement after Zidane replaced Rafa Benitez in January, with the Frenchman winning 17 of his 20 games in charge and only losing to Atletico Madrid on Feb. 27.

"I'm happy and proud of what we have done," the manager said. "We had difficulties but we never lowered our arms, we fought to the end. That was the message to the squad."

"We have to rest and I'm very proud of everyone in this team. After 38 games we can't change that Barca are champions. They deserve La Liga, but to my players, chapeau [respect]."

Real Madrid will have another chance to beat Atletico and win a trophy in the Champions League.

Zidane said his team will have time to overcome their Liga disappointment before the final in Milan on May 28.

Zinedine Zidane won 17 of 20 games in La Liga since taking over the club in January. MIGUEL RIOPA/AFP/Getty Images

"We're fortunate to have the Champions League final and we need to rest and prepare well for it," he said. "We're a little disappointed after the effort we made. Now we think only of Milan. The plan is to rest first and then work. We have time.

"The final is 50-50 and that won't change. The important thing is to have a bit of rest and not think of football for a few days. Then we'll look forward to properly prepare for the game."

Defender Marcelo credited Zidane for putting Real Madrid in a position to have an opportunity to win the title on the final day of the season.

"Winning the league is always difficult," Marcelo said. "We started badly, 13 points off first and in the end we managed to cut it and we've reached a point where we're only a point behind.

"We've improved a lot and now we have [the Champions League final] to try and close the season well.

"It's hard when Madrid don't win any trophy. Madrid always have to win. The coach arrived in mid-season and it's difficult. We'll work for these next [14] days to arrive well at a game that will be very tough."