Zidane on Hazard and Casemiro’s positive COVID-19 tests: “It could be worse”

Zinedine Zidane spoke to the media on Saturday and the focus was on the positive COVID-19 tests of Eden Hazard and Casemiro. On that and on the fact that Real Madrid had to train individually on Saturday, Zidane said: “They’re both good. They’re obviously not happy about what has happened. But, mentally, they’re good. Physically, they have a few things, but they’re well. I’ve exchanged messages with them and will talk with them again later. This can happen and we have to accept it. We have to adapt to the situation. It could be worse. Many people are having a tough time with this. But, it’s true that it’s concerning and it’s tough when you have a different training session like this.”

Despite the complications, Zidane isn’t making any excuses as he and his team prepare to go to Mestalla. “It’s a difficult match,” he admitted. “But we’re preparing as always to have a good performance. We’re facing a good opponent.”

Some individual players were brought up during the press conference, one of them being Isco. The Spaniard has only played 177 minutes so far this season and Zidane was asked what’s going on with the midfielder. The coach replied: “He just needs to keep working. It’s not an Isco problem, it’s my problem. It’s true he hasn’t been playing much, but he just needs to keep working and doing what he’s doing. He has had tough times and also good times. We have many matches coming up and I hope he’ll be able to demonstrate what he can do.”

Finally, Martin Ødegaard was brought up too as he is back from injury. Zidane was asked if he’s happy with the Norwegian going away with his national team next week. He replied: “It doesn’t matter if that annoys me or not. His national team can call him up and that’s what they’re doing. He’ll be with us tomorrow.”