Zidane speaks on Gareth Bale refusing to play against Manchester City in their Champions League game
As Real Madrid travelled to Manchester, where it is aiming to overturn a 2-1 deficit from the first leg in February to reach the quarter-finals, one particular player will be conspicuously absent during the game. He is Gareth Bale, which sources close to him claim he told Zidane he did not want to travel, after finding out he was not included in the squad, but was ready to play.
While speaking in a press conference on Thursday, Zidane said, “There is a relationship of respect between player and coach.
“He preferred not to play, nothing more, and the rest is between me and him.”
According to Zidane, it was a personal decision rather than a technical one but would not be drawn on details, insisting “there are things that have to stay in the changing room”.
Many people have seen the omission of Bale as adding another low point to a turbulent season for the Welshman, who only started one of Madrid’s last 11 matches after La Liga resumed in March.
When asked about Bale’s future at Real Madrid, Zidane said: “Gareth Bale is a Real Madrid player, nothing has changed and I respect him like everyone else.”
In the case of Hazard, Zidane had more positive news, in which he acknowledged him to be fit to face City, despite feeling pain in his troublesome right ankle last month.
Speaking further about Hazard, he said, “He had some problems at the end of La Liga but now he is much better and we have had a lot of time to prepare for this match.
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“I think he’s fine and feels confident.”
It could be recalled that Hazard underwent surgery in March on his ankle but still had his minutes managed during the run-in.
“Playing every two or three days made it difficult for him to recover.
“But he is fine now and shouldn’t be playing with discomfort,” said Zidane.
The Real Madrid captain, Sergio Ramos will not be with the team against City.
“We have a disadvantage.
“But we know tomorrow is another game and that knock-out games aren’t over until the last minute.” Zidane said.
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