Zidane: "Our season doesn't end with the derby... "

Zinedine Zidane mulled over Saturday's derby run-in with Atlético de Madrid in the company of the press after Friday's session in Valdebebas.

Marcelo: “All we know is that Marcelo has sprained a calf muscle and we have to be careful with him. That's why he didn't train with us today and won't be in the list for tomorrow. But Pepe did train and Bale is still working apart”.

Your first derby as coach: “The only thing that worries me is putting in a good game tomorrow. We've worked well during the week, and we're ready to put in a good performance. It's a derby and it's a very important game for both of us, but in another sense it's just one more game. We have to give the best of ourselves and remain true to our ideas. It'll be difficult, no doubt about it”.

Message to the fans: “I just ask them to be as up for this as the players will be, to get right nbehind us as they always have done. The derby is always a different atmosphere”.

Importance of the derby: “It's important for the fans but first and foremost are the players. They are professionals - sometimes things don't work out for them but I am happy with the professional attitude that each and every one of them shows. Here, we go from one extreme to the other. But the players are focused on what they need to do - give 100 per cent”.

Saúl claims that he was punished and even had his packed lunch stolen when he was in Madrid's youth categories... “Look, I am ony thinking about tomorrow's game. What can I say? It's not eally an issue for me… I'm very sorry for Saúl but I have a game to prepare for”.

Danilo: “He's fine, and working hard just like the rest. It's just that other players have been playing more recently. He's prepared, he's important for us and I have happy with what he is doing. After that, I have decision to make and we'll see who plays tomorrow. I understand your question. And if Danilo plays in place of Carvajal, next week you'll be asking me the same question about Carvajal. We're a big squad and I am making decisions”.

Mistakes made in last week's draw in Málaga : “We know that Atlético defend well, but that's not the only thing they do well. They are a complete side, a competitive team with quality players throughout and we know how difficult it will be for us. We've analyzed the mistakes we made against Málaga. Every game has its problems. Tomorrow we will be putting our own ideas into practice and we should only be thinking of ourselves”.

Isco: “I'm very happy with the work he's doing. If you look at his final pass, you'll see that it's an area that he needs to look at and he knows that himself. Otherwise, I'm happy with his defensive work and what he does when he's on the ball”.

Defeat tomorrow would be waving goodbye to the league? “No, whatever happens, we won't give in. We'll keep battling to the final day. There are points in play and I say that with total sincerity. If we lose points now it will be more complicated for us but whatever happens, we still have games to play - such as in the Champions League and for that reason, it's important for us to remain competitive”.

Borja Mayoral: “Borja is in the list. He has been looking good and recently, he's been doing very well. He's with Castilla and has been training well with us; he's ready to be with us”.

What do you need to do to get the best out of James? “That's a difficult questions for me to answer. One day it's James, the next it's Danilo… I have to make decisions. He's working flat out. I am very happy with his attitude and the attitude of all of the players. I was a player myself and I know that sometimes, things don't work out for you. That's just how it is. Some days you sleep badly… What matters is attitude and in that regard, I am very satisfied and proud of all of my players - the ones who are playing regularly and those who aren't”.