Zidane: “Bale plays for Real Madrid, we will see what happens next season”

Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane talked to the press after the team’s 2-1 home win against Eibar this Saturday. The French manager was asked about the future of Welsh attacker Gareth Bale after yet another discouraging performance from him. Zidane decided not assure Bale will stay.

“I won’t comment on what’s going to happen. He’s a Real Madrid player, he’s got two years left on his contract and we’ll see what happens next season. We’re not thrilled by the jeering but the fans come here and want to see their team play better and we’re not in great shape right now. Everyone reacted well in the second half and I’ll focus on that. The fans know this season is over now and the only thing we’ve got left to play for are the seven remaining games and we’ll try hard to finish second. People are disappointed because we’re not going to win anything,” said Zidane when asked about the Welshman and the jeers from the fans.

Real Madrid completed a mediocre first half but ended up earning the comeback win through a brace by Benzema.

“I am not going to say what we discussed at the break We had to change things from the first half. We changed it, played as a team and ran together. That changed the game. In the first half, we lacked confidence, particularly at the start, it was really complicated. I am happy for the players, it was a tough situation. People can forget that these players are human, and they think it is normal to jeer them. In this situation, we all need to pull our weight. I have to say well done to my players because in the second half they stood united. We changed our focus and got a result by helping each other. It was a strong reaction and we are happy,” explained the coach.

Benzema is completing a brilliant season for Real Madrid and Zidane praised his performance.

“He’s always been crucial for the team. He’s scoring more goals now but he’s always been a hugely important player. I want to speak about the team. Karim knows very well that the team has been vital for him too and I want to stress just that,” said the Frenchman.

Real Madrid have little to play for and Zidane knows how tough that can be.

“It’s tough playing for nothing but I don’t mean we’re going to stop fighting. That’s why the second half was particularly good and we came out on top. In the seven games left before the end of the campaign we’re going to have to fight as a team,” concluded the coach.