“I have no doubts about Aouar, he's good; he could play for Madrid”

Zinedine Zidane appeared at a press conference in the preview of the game this Sunday (4:00 p.m.) between Levante and Real Madrid.

-They are measured against Levante …

–It is true that it is the third game away. We know where we are going. But he is a very difficult opponent. We already saw the game we had there last year. The difficulty of this league is preparing our game well and having a good match. And it is what we are going to do. We will surely have difficulties against a good rival. But we are prepared.

-What do you say to those who talk about the flower of Zidane?

-I am happy to be here. I am positive in my life. I don't see things negative even when I see things complicated. From time to time we have injuries, but we are not going to look for excuses. My squad is very talented, but I do not forget that they have a lot of heart. Things can get complicated, but together we can come up with very nice things.

– Does the team have more character than heart?

–When we are in the field we have to try to do well. The rest we do not control. That we are always criticized … we cannot control it. We have to be united and more in times of difficulties. Three, five, ten years ago … there are no changes: here every time there is a little bit of difficulty there is always a lot of talk. Our thing is to unite and move on

-How do you see Asensio?

–He is an important player. It has always been like this. What you have to do is recover one hundred percent at all levels: physically, mentally and technically. And he is ready to have a good year. I am convinced.

-How do you manage rotations?

-It is not a waste of time explaining things to a player. We talk from coach to player and from player to coach. But I think that since I have come as a coach I have always done the same. I have a squad of 23-24 players, and to win trophies, to play 60-65 games, we need everyone. Many coaches when I watch the games, I see what they are doing and it's the same. Before there were 30-35 games. Not now. They are 60-65, then there is the European Championship in June and there are more games. Anyway, a player always wants to play, he will never understand things, and we push forward. So I will continue.

–Marco Asensio, what are the facets where you can contribute?

-Yes, but like all players. We know his qualities, he is a very vertical player and that is what I ask of him. Play with your qualities. He is a player who has a goal, that every time he goes to play he looks for the goal.

-Speaking of Isco, are you affected by not going with the National Team?

-I don't know. What Isco wants, like many players, is to play and show what he does. Isco has a character that makes him fear nothing and I like him. The national team, he wants to play well.

-The injuries of Carvajal and Odriozola have arrived. How do you think people remember Achraf now?

-No, because they are things that can happen in a squad. I'm not happy with what happened. We have to do with other players what we are going to do. We cannot look for excuses.

-How do you handle rotations of players like Ramos, Kroos, Modric, Benzema …

-I talk to the players, but the players you have mentioned, even though they are 30 years old, can play 6 or 7 more. Rotations are a way of mine to think for the good of a squad, the dynamics of training and that the players are committed. It's just that. Players always want to play and when they don't they are not happy. I think it's the worst thing about a coach's job: when you tell one that he's not going to start.

-He's worried about the team's game, injuries …

-Not. Not worried, but I don't like it because I prefer to have all my players available. But they are things that can happen. In the end we have to be patient. It bothers me for the players who are injured, because they can't play. I know this is the worst time for them.

-How is Hazard?

-No, as you just said that I am positive, I am positive in everything. It is a muscle injury from having worked hard to get back. The important thing is your injury. It's okay and I hope this continues.

-In France they talk about a possible signing of Aouar

-I don't know what information you have. I have no doubt about this player, he is a great player. Maybe one day I could play for Madrid, but today we have this squad and my concern is the players I have now. From the 5th (October, when the transfer market closes) there will be no such questions.