Ahead of their league game against Eibar on Sunday night, manager Zinedine Zidane went through his traditional press conference before every game, speaking to the media.
The Frenchman was asked to talk about a lot of issues, including claims of reported rotations due to the nature of the game. On that issue he said: “We want to keep up our good form and it’s another opportunity for us to show what we’re capable of. I’m counting on everyone and all the players here are committed.”
Zidane also provided an update on both Eden Hazard and Vinicius Junior with the his preferred left wingers expected to miss the game on Sunday, leaving a question mark on who could take up that position. He said: “I don’t think we’ll have [Vinícius] for tomorrow. He’s not well, he’s not comfortable. We’ll see for tomorrow. [As for Hazard], I think he’s good. He’s almost totally recovered. I don’t say fully recovered because he’s still missing something to play. He’s training well with consistency. I think in a short time he’ll be with the team playing. It’s a shame what has happened with him over this past year and a bit, as it’s been difficult. I don’t like to see players injured. He’d never had injuries before arriving and was always playing regularly. We just want him to be back for good when he’s back. So, I just call for calm. We don’t want to rush him back too quickly.”
The gaffer also cleared some discussions about the contractual situation of some of his players as well as his at the club, adding: “I have a contract, until 2022. So, I’m not going to ask for anything. I’m going to keep working. I’m happy to be at this great club. I’m lucky to say I’m at the best club in the world. I just hope that the players can stay and that we can keep working with them. When a player wants to stay that means a lot. With Sergio Ramos, I see him staying for many years. He’s looking after himself well and I’m not surprised about what he’s achieving.”
Considering how great Karim Benzema has been over the years, Zidane was also asked if he would have wished to play with the Madrid No. 9 and he concluded: “Yes, of course. If you ask me then I’ll say yes. But, it wasn’t to be. Or… well, it could happen now, but it would have to be with me just walking on the pitch!”
