Zinedine Zidane appeared at a telematic press conference in the preview of the momentous second leg match of the Champions League against Manchester City. Real Madrid have to overcome the 1-2 of the first leg to continue in the maximum continental competition. Asked about the absence of Bale in the call, the Madrid manager revealed that it was the Welshman who preferred not to play.
How is the team?
Good because we are preparing to play this match. It is the return We know what happened in the first leg, but well, we are focused and we know that tomorrow is another final. And we are going to try to make a great match.
How is Hazard's physical condition? Are you confident?
Yes, because he had a little bit of discomfort at the end of LaLiga but now he is much better. We have had a lot of time to prepare for the match and I think it is good and with confidence.
Why didn't Bale travel?
I will explain to you. In the end many things are said. We have a relationship of respect for coach and player, of course. All I can say is that he preferred not to play, nothing more. The rest is between him and me.
Hazard should get used to playing with discomfort? Is it wrong to go out to play with pain?
When he has had the injury, playing every two to three days has been difficult to recover from. Now he is fine and should not play with discomfort. Now it is well and I hope that it can continue without problem and without discomfort above all.
Would Hazard be equally 80% incumbent?
The important thing is that we all be well. We have had ten days to prepare for the game and that's it. Each one says one thing about Eden. The important thing is that he is well and he is well.
The City accumulates more than 100 goals in the League, you 25 against. To come back to Madrid, would it be better for you to prevail that goal to zero or a game with many goals?
I don't know what will happen tomorrow. It will be a good football match between two very good teams. This is the most important. We know how the first leg ended. We face this final knowing things and nothing else.
Is Bale not for a technical but a personal reason?
Yes. I have answered before. Nothing else. The rest is a conversation between the player and the coach that I will not tell.
“I have a lot of respect for Bale. The locker room things should stay inside.”
Marcelo returns to the list. Are you 100% eligible to start after injury?
Yes, Marcelo is 100%, like everyone. And our energy is focused on tomorrow's game.
Has Bale lacked involvement and commitment in this final stretch of the season? Has Bale disappointed you?
No. I highly respect Gareth and all the players. Locker room things should stay inside between the players and the coach.
Does Gareth Bale have a future at Real Madrid?
I do not know. He is now a Real Madrid player. It doesn't change anything and I respect that. He preferred not to play, is the only thing I can say. All the people who are here for tomorrow's game concentrate only on this.
This is one of the most important challenges you have had as a coach. Do you feel it is possible?
We have a disadvantage. We know her. We know that tomorrow there is another game. A tie has never been completed until the last minute. We know what to do in the field. Let's get ready to play a great game. I have a good team that has their weapons. Let's have a nice game. We have to think about moving forward in this final phase.