Real Madrid’s final training session before the match against Real Betis took place today at Real Madrid City, where Nacho, Carvajal, and Isco all missed practice due to injury or illness. Following training, Zinedine Zidane took to the microphone to answer questions from the press on a wide variety of topics.

On Eder Sarabia’s behaviour on the bench in El Clasico

“Everyone does their job and tries to do it well. At the end of the day, everyone’s entitled to their opinion on certain things. When the game kicks off, we can’t control the tension an individual feels. Everyone’s got their job and that’s all there is to it. I’m not going to say whether something’s right or wrong because everyone experiences things in their own way. I’m not saying if it’s right or not. Everyone acts as they see fit, I’ve got enough to worry about with my own job. You react to things on the pitch and everyone can have their opinion, that’s all there is to it”.

On the Coronavirus

“There are a lot of people telling us what we need to do and we place our trust in those who know about it. That’s all I can say on it. The instructions are things that you too can tell your son, like how to wash your hands. It’s pretty negative, there’s no denying that. Unfortunately it’s a virus that’s around at the moment, people are scared of it, we don’t know exactly what’s going on and that’s why it’s important to have information from the doctors and people in the know. Knowing that at some point we won’t play a game isn’t good because we’ll have prepared for it. We’re seeing it in France and Italy and it could happen in Spain. We have to do what we’re being told”.

On Eden Hazard’s recovery after surgery in Dallas

“I spoke to him after he suffered the injury and also after the operation to see how he was. He was really down immediately after it, but the operation went well and he’s now feeling a bit brighter in himself. Let’s hope that he’s back with us soon. He’s feeling fine. The operation went really well, just as the surgeon planned it. He’s happy that the operation went fine and I can’t say anything about how long it’ll be. I don’t know whether he’ll be back before the end of the season. I’m looking forward to seeing him and I hope he’s got a chance of playing for us before the season is up”.

On Mariano’s playing time

”He has to be ready, just like the rest of them. When you’ve got a squad with so many talented players, it’s tough to leave players out each week. They all have to be ready and deliver when called upon”.

”For me, the important thing is what I do every day. I feel as if I’ve got the club’s backing, there’s no doubt about that, and everyone who works here is all pulling in the same direction. I’m well aware of how things work. I’m currently the Real Madrid coach, but that could change tomorrow”.

”No. What’s more, I’m on my own, that’s what I was saying before. It’s a real joy to be experiencing what I am with my players and I make the most of it every day. I haven’t been contacted or anything. You know that a lot is said about the players and myself away from here”.

On Zidane’s rumoured departure

“No. What’s more, I’m on my own, that’s what I was saying before. It’s a real joy to be experiencing what I am with my players and I make the most of it every day. I haven’t been contacted or anything. You know that a lot is said about the players and myself away from here”.

On Marcelo’s performance in El Clasico

“A lot is said about Marcelo, sometimes it’s positive other times it’s negative. We know what he can offer, he’s an extremely important member of the squad and I was delighted with his performance the other day. All of the players have to continue on in this vein, keep doing well and give their all because, when you look at the quality we’ve got, things end up working out”.

On Real Madrid’s next opponent, Real Betis

“We know just what a tough prospect it is, it’s a difficult game and a tough place to go. Betis are doing very well. They’ve struggled for results, but they’re a good side. It’ll be a physical contest, but we’re also going to have to really be on our game in terms of the technical side of things”.

”It’s an important match for us, just as it is for them. They’ll be trying to put in a good performance, just as we will. We’ll prepare for it as best we can and give our all out there tomorrow”.