Football
Dermot Corrigan, Madrid correspondent 7y

Real Madrid's Zinedine Zidane unfazed by Isco, Alvaro Morata joking on bench

Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane insisted he has no issue with Isco and Alvaro Morata joking about their status as reserves as they showed their commitment to the club on the field.

Midfielder Isco and forward Morata were caught on camera joking with a supporter while on the bench at Villarreal last weekend.

Zidane said he had no problem with the exchange, as the pair both came on as substitutes to make telling contributions in Sunday's comeback to win 3-2 at the Estadio de la Ceramica.

"It's a joke, and the players make jokes, of course," Zidane told a news conference. "It made me laugh. Did you see later how they came onto the pitch? So perfect, that is what is important to me.

"We are 24 [players], and I must choose. You know what I think of Isco, Morata and the others. The other day they came on and did their job, like the others. We all work together for the same objectives. What happens next year I do not know. But we cannot change this as some players will play, others will not, that will always happen."

Pushed on six different occasions by local reporters who feel the young Spanish duo deserve to play more, Zidane eventually grew slightly impatient.

"I am tired to hear myself saying same thing again and again," he responded in an even tone. "You will see tomorrow what the team is."

Zidane was happier to speak about Wednesday's opponents Las Palmas, who come to the Bernabeu having lost their last four La Liga games, but who drew 2-2 with Madrid in the reverse fixture in the Canary Islands last September.

"We played a great game there, and they equalised right at the end," Zidane said. "I expect another tough game. They are a team who know how to play, technically very good in midfield. We do not want them to play easily in our half.

The Frenchman also had kind words for his former charge Jese Rodriguez, who joined hometown club Las Palmas on loan last January, after a €25 million move to Paris Saint-Germain from Madrid last summer did not work out.

"[Jese] is a very good quality player, has shown that before, has a lot of potential," Zidane said. "At PSG it did not go as he wanted, he did not get the pitch time to show his talent. I wish him the best, from Thursday, and I hope he returns to the level he had before. I like him as a player and a person."

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