Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane warns the ‘BBC’ are ready to end their winless Clasico run against Barcelona when they take to Camp Nou on Saturday.
Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo have yet to beat Barca as a trio in Madrid’s attack, but Zidane is banking on them to help Los Blancos emerge victorious at Camp Nou in La Liga for the first time since 2012.
“[Raphael Varane’s ankle injury], it’s not something we can control,” the Coach said at a Press conference.
“He played a second match with France and felt some discomfort.
“We’ll see how [serious] it is. [Injuries] after playing two games in a short time can happen.
“[On rotations], for me, the most important is the match [on Saturday], then Wednesday.
“I’ll play the team best equipped to win [on Saturday]. Rotations will always take place until the end of the season.
“[On his infamous scuffle with Luis Enrique in 2003], that’s what sometimes happens on the pitch, and it’s been forgotten.
“For a player, the Clasico is the most beautiful thing there is. Now I’m experiencing it as a Coach and I’m happy about it.
“[Toni Kroos] is okay. I think he took a sudden blow, but the pain is over training only. He’ll be with us.
“[On Cristiano Ronaldo’s penalty misses], I don’t mind that, it’s part of football.
“Sometimes you miss, and Cristiano [Ronaldo] responded in the game after. I’ve not seen him worried and the international break was good for him.
“[On the ‘BBC’ not yet beating Barca, Saturday] is a game to change that and they’ll try
“[On Karim Benzema possibly missing Euro 2016], I’m only thinking about [Saturday’s] game.
“We’ll see what happens. You already know what I think of Karim.
“[On James Rodriguez’s remarks that he is unhappy with being benched], neither James nor anyone accepts the bench.
“I didn’t either, but there’s 22 of us and I’ll always put the best team out.
“Still, James is fine, he knows that he’ll play with us, he’s important for the team and I’ll always give my affection to him, as his teammates. We’ll help him, as he already knows.
“What he said is clear, but he’s happy here too. Drawing something concrete from everything a player says is difficult.
“He’s happy here, but when a player sees they’re not playing then it’s difficult for them.
“It’s normal to say these things while representing your country, but he’s fine and committed here.
“After that, I have to make decisions and I always will while thinking about the best for the team at all times.”
