Zidane backs Bale & Benzema

Zinedine Zidane insisted Real Madrid forwards Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema are not frustrated with their lack of playing time.

Ahead of Wednesday night’s clash with Athletic Bilbao, the Frenchman addressed concerns relating to apparent sadness from the pair that they were not being considered.

“We're all on the same side and we need all our players,” Zidane told reporters, in quotes cited by PA Sport.

“They don't come across as sad to me and they are training well, of course, both would like to score more goals, but they are working well.

“It always happens in a team where you have some players on good form and that is what happening at the minute. We've got very good players and I have to evaluate that.

“The most important thing for us is to try to get back to second place, which is our goal, we have climbed back up to third and we want to get closer to second place.

“Athletic are a team that do not deserve to be where they are in the table, maybe more was expected this year because they're a very good team that competes very well.

“They are a complete team that will come here to try to pick up points, and we have to be ready, especially when it comes to their strengths: the second ball, crossing.

“We have to be switched on to these situations.”

Tags Gareth Bale Karim Benzema
La Liga - Club News