‘I’m not giving Isco the chance to show what a player he is’- Says Zinedine Zidane
Tags: Football, Real Madrid, La Liga, Soccer News, Soccer

Zinedine Zidane spoke to the press ahead of Real Madrid’s LaLiga Santander home against the Athletic Club.

The French coach managed to overturn the club’s recent crisis with three major wins over the week, over Sevilla, Monchengladbach and Atletico Madrid, and revealed his delight to his players.

In the Champions League last 16 draw , Real Madrid drew Atalanta, and Zidane is aware of the danger they pose.

“In the end, this can only happen when we work together and we are working very well with the players. All of us who are here help the players. Only then can things work,” he said.

“We know what kind of team they are and there is a lot of respect,” he said of the Italians.”This will be played at the end of February but what matters to me is tomorrow’s game. It is another great opportunity for us.”

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Madrid is on top again after the derby win, but Zidane doesn’t think the team will suffer a fall as a result.

“I don’t agree. We have earned only three points, but what we want to show is that the team is doing well and not thinking about anything else,” Zidane said.”Nothing has changed, we work day by day and we want to continue with what we are doing.”

Isco has been in the spotlight of late, firstly due to making his desire to leave the club known, which has seen him left out of the squad in recent weeks.

“Isco is going to be an important player, it is true that he is not playing much and I am not giving him the opportunity to show the player that he is. I feel sorry for my players and I will never forget what I have experienced with them.

“He has to work hard to get another chance, but what is being said [in the media] I can’t respond because we don’t control it.”

Asked about what has changed, Zidane doesn’t feel there is a magic formula.

“We are not going to change anything, we know that we have to always be the best, but there is an opponent and sometimes it is difficult to put the opponent in danger all the time,” he said.”But we are good and we can show consistency. For us it has changed nothing.”

Marcelo has been left out of the last four matches as Ferland Mendy has been on excellent form.

“It is true that he has played less, we know what he can give us,” he said of the Brazilian.

“It is true that Ferland has played very well, it is true that [Marcelo] has not played much lately. He is training very well and has to continue what he is doing. It is true that he hasn’t had a chance lately but it’s not his fault, we’ll see what happens later.”

However Zidane’s job was said to be in danger heading into the previous three games, but the Frenchman has managed to get out of a tough spot for the umpteenth time as Real Madrid coach.

“I don’t aim to prove anything, I take advantage of every moment I’m here,” he added.

“I have fantastic players and there is nothing left but to keep working.”It has been a very good week and we have to continue at that. The games are hard and there is no time to rest, just to continue in the same way.”