rotation policy is unfair and insisted the fringe
players at Real Madrid get more opportunities than
those at other clubs.
The make-up of Madrid's best starting XI has
come under close scrutiny in recent weeks due to
several outstanding displays from the likes of Isco,
Alvaro Morata, James Rodriguez and Marco
Asensio.
All four were prominent once again in midweek
as Madrid hammered Deportivo La Coruna 6-2
after Zidane made nine changes to the team that
started the Clasico defeat to Barcelona.
They may get another chance on Saturday when
Zidane's men face Valencia at Santiago Bernabeu
and will aim to give the Frenchman food for
thought before Tuesday's Champions League semi-
final against Atletico Madrid.
The likelihood is the former Juventus midfielder will
return to his 'A team' against their cross-city
rivals but he remained adamant everyone will have
a part to play as Madrid challenge for honours on
domestic and continental fronts.
He told a news conference: "I do not think it's
unjust, I don't think that's how I behave. It's the
complete opposite. I have immense respect for my
players.
"At other clubs, for example, the reserves do not
play a minute except in emergencies.
"The group comes first and all the players are
important, that's something we have seen. But we
can only play with 11 players. You may think that I
play certain players in some games and the others
play in different ones, like an 'A' and 'B' side, but I
don't see it that way."
He added: "It's not like before when you had fewer
games. You had 30 or 40 matches and you could
do things with 12 or 13 players.
"I have very good players. I talk to them and try to
explain my thinking and we move forward together.
They are very professional and very respectful. We
follow the same path."
Isco's recent displays have caught the eye in
particular and Zidane conceded it was not easy
trying to explain to the Spain playmaker why he
does not feature week in, week out.
"I have to tell him, not the press, my decision," he
said.
"It's tough, I nearly always played. I am not there
chatting away all the time but when it's necessary.
"We have got a game on Saturday and a game
Tuesday and we are going to battle till the end of
the season and see what happens."
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