Real Madrid: Zidane: "If Bale leaves tomorrow, great..."

Zinedine Zidane attended the media after Real Madrid's 3-1 defeat to Bayern Munich in the team's first outing of the pre-season. There was one noticeable absentee in the match - Gareth Bale, who was mysteriously left out of the squad. 

Bale snubbed

Gareth Bale left out of the list: "He wasn't called up because the club is dealing with his transfer elsewhere and that's why he didn't play. We'll see what happens with him over the next few days".

Is Bale's departure imminent? "I'm not going to start talking about that; we'll see. If it's all resolved tomorrow, then that would be even better. Let's hope it can be resolved quickly for everyone's sake - for him too. The club is negotiating with another club where he could end up playing and that's the situation as things stand".

Takefusa Kubo's debut: "It was his first game for us; obviously we're not happy about losing the game but overall there were some good things about our game. For us it's normal, we have to build up rhythm and I'm happy with how everyone performed".

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First outing of the summer

Positive sensations: "Yes, the first 10 minutes were difficult for us but after that we played well, we were able to pass our way out from the back… We struggled to find the net in the first half and in the second half, we completely changed the team as for some players, it was the first time they'd played together. It's normal that we experienced difficulties in defence".

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Madrid seeking a new club for Bale

A while ago, you claimed that Gareth Bale was not for sale then last season, you stopped playing him. And now you are sending him a clear message. Have you had a a personal problem with Bale or is it a sport-related issue? "It's nothing personal. The moment arrives when you have to do what needs to be done. I have to make decisions and we need to change things. We'll see what happens. It's not personal".

Has the message regarding Bale changed? "Look, you all know the situation. And it's going to change. I don't whether it will be in 24 hours' time or 48 hours, the situation is going to change and that's the best outcome for everyone".

Have you personally asked the club to find an outlet for Bale? "I'm the coach and the one who talks to the club and we have to take decisions. It's the coach who decides when a player has to leave - or the player himself. He knows the situation and we'll see how it all turns out".

Madrid have spent a lot of money on new signings but the starting XI was the same as last year plus Hazard… "We are still in the phase of preparing for the new campaign - one team played the first half, another played the second and we'll change it around in the next game. For me, it doesn't matter which players started".

James: "I'm not going to say anything, he's not with us here, I'm only concerned about the players who are here with us right now".